Studies have pointed out that compared to healthy controls, SLE patients produced a higher level of follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) and a lower level of progesterone as well as luteinizing hormone (LH) regardless of CYC treatment, indicating dysfunction of the HPO axis and more specifically, of the ovarian response to gonadotropins in these patients30,31. The gene discussed is BRD2; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.