The expression of the gene encoding pro-α 1 chain of type I collagen in the skin of premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Objectives: The atrophic changes occurring in the skin of postmenopausal women are thought to depend mainly on the oestrogen deficiency secondary to loss of hormonal function of the ovaries. The hypothesis to be tested was whether decreased serum level of oestrogen in these women influences the expression of gene encoding pro-α1 chain of type I collagen. Study design: The skin specimens from six premenopausal and six postmenopausal women were taken at the time of surgery. The expression of gene encoding pro-α1 chain of type I collagen was estimated using Dot-Blot hybridisation technique. Results: The expression of pro-α1 chain of type I collagen gene was shown in all cases. The level of expression was different in each sample and did not depend on ovarian hormonal function. Conclusions: Our results indicate that atrophic changes in the skin of postmenopausal women probably do not depend on diminished expression of gene encoding pro-α1 chain of type I collagen.