Association between Polymorphisms in the Serotonin 2C Receptor Gene and Premature Ejaculation in Han Chinese Subjects

Abstract

Introduction: Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is characterized by persistently shorter intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) than found acceptable by the patient or his partner. It has been postulated to be a neurobiological dysfunction with genetic vulnerability and is related to disturbances of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurotransmission and 5-HT receptor function. Aim: To investigate the relationship between the C–759T and G–697C polymorphisms of the 5-HT_2C receptor and LPE. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 106 Han Chinese men with LPE, characterized by IELT of less than 1 min, and 84 healthy controls with IELT of more than 3 min. All subjects were genotyped for the C–759T and G–697C polymorphisms located in the promoter region of the 5-HT_2C receptor. The frequencies of genotypes and single nucleotide mutations were compared between the two groups. Results: Three genotypes were detected both in the men with LPE and in the control group: –759C/–697G, –759T/–697C, and –759C/ –697C. Genotype –759T/–697G was not detected. The frequency of genotype –759T/–697C was higher in patients with LPE than in the control group (30.2 vs. 11.9%, p < 0.05), whereas the frequency of genotype –759C/–697G was lower in patients with LPE than in the control group (66.0 vs. 83.3%, p < 0.05). No difference was found for genotype –759C/ –697C between the two groups. Mutations at –759T and –697C were more frequent in patients than in the control group (–759T: 30.2 vs. 13.3%, p < 0.05; –697C: 30.4 vs. 16.7%, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that polymorphisms in the 5-HT_2C receptor gene are associated with LPE, and men who carry the –759T or –697C genotype have increased odds of premature ejaculation. Further investigation in this field is necessary.