Ovarian response is affected by a specific histidine-rich glycoprotein polymorphism: a preliminary study

Abstract

Genetic polymorphisms involved in angiogenesis, apoptosis and chemokine signalling are associated with varying ovarian response and oocyte quality. The protein, histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), is involved in these processes, but its effect on ovarian response in IVF has not been previously studied. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the HRG gene (C633T) seems to affect pregnancy results in IVF. Women with the C/C genotype had higher pregnancy rates, C/T had moderate rates and none of those in the T/T group conceived. The aim of this study was to investigate if the HRG C633T SNP affects ovarian response. The HRG C633T SNP genotype of 67 women with unexplained infertility undergoing IVF was analysed and related to medical data. The T/T genotype obtained fewer oocytes, including mature oocytes, despite higher dosages of FSH administered. Additionally, the highest proportion of women who had exclusively poor-quality embryos was in the T/T group. No differences in demographic factors known to affect these parameters were found. The results suggest that the HRG C633T SNP influences ovarian response. Further studies of this SNP may increase knowledge about the biological processes involved in oocyte development and, furthermore, improve predicted ovarian response and fertilization.

Keywords: embryo development; histidine-rich glycoprotein; in-vitro fertilization; oocyte; ovarian response; single nucleotide polymorphism.