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Genomic analysis of male puberty timing highlights shared genetic basis with hair colour and lifespan

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Hollis

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Box 285)

  • Felix R. Day

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Box 285)

  • Alexander S. Busch

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Box 285
    University of Copenhagen
    University of Copenhagen)

  • Deborah J. Thompson

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Ana Luiza G. Soares

    (MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol
    University of Bristol)

  • Paul R. H. J. Timmers

    (University of Bristol
    University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place)

  • Alex Kwong

    (MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol
    IUMSP, Biopôle, Secteur Vennes-Bâtiment SV-A
    University of Bristol
    University of Bristol)

  • Doug F. Easton

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Peter K. Joshi

    (University of Bristol
    University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place)

  • Nicholas J. Timpson

    (MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol)

  • Ken K. Ong

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Box 285
    Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine)

  • John R. B. Perry

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus Box 285)

Abstract

The timing of puberty is highly variable and is associated with long-term health outcomes. To date, understanding of the genetic control of puberty timing is based largely on studies in women. Here, we report a multi-trait genome-wide association study for male puberty timing with an effective sample size of 205,354 men. We find moderately strong genomic correlation in puberty timing between sexes (rg = 0.68) and identify 76 independent signals for male puberty timing. Implicated mechanisms include an unexpected link between puberty timing and natural hair colour, possibly reflecting common effects of pituitary hormones on puberty and pigmentation. Earlier male puberty timing is genetically correlated with several adverse health outcomes and Mendelian randomization analyses show a genetic association between male puberty timing and shorter lifespan. These findings highlight the relationships between puberty timing and health outcomes, and demonstrate the value of genetic studies of puberty timing in both sexes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Hollis & Felix R. Day & Alexander S. Busch & Deborah J. Thompson & Ana Luiza G. Soares & Paul R. H. J. Timmers & Alex Kwong & Doug F. Easton & Peter K. Joshi & Nicholas J. Timpson & Ken K. Ong & J, 2020. "Genomic analysis of male puberty timing highlights shared genetic basis with hair colour and lifespan," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14451-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14451-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Derek W. Brown & Liam D. Cato & Yajie Zhao & Satish K. Nandakumar & Erik L. Bao & Eugene J. Gardner & Aubrey K. Hubbard & Alexander DePaulis & Thomas Rehling & Lei Song & Kai Yu & Stephen J. Chanock &, 2023. "Shared and distinct genetic etiologies for different types of clonal hematopoiesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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