Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphism and changes in homocysteine concentrations in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy losses

Reproduction. 2006 Feb;131(2):395-401. doi: 10.1530/rep.1.00815.

Abstract

Because they have been described as strong risk factors for idiopathic recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs), we assessed the association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) C677T and A1298C and hyperhomocysteinemia in Tunisian women with idiopathic RPL. Study subjects comprised 200 patients with more than three consecutive RPLs, and 200 age-matched parous control women. C677T and A1298C SNPs were analyzed by PCR-RFLP analysis, and fasting serum homocysteine was measured with ELISA. The frequency of MTHFR 677T/T (30.0 vs 7.0%) and 1298C/C (13.5 vs 4.0%) genotypes was significantly higher in patients. While it was similar among patients and controls (P = 0.095), higher homocysteine was seen with the T/T (but not 1298A/C and 1298C/C) genotype among patients and controls compared with non-T/T carriers (P < 0.05), and in patients vs controls. Higher prevalence of MTHFR 677T/T was seen in late (P < 0.05) and early-late (P < 0.001) RPL, while higher prevalence of 1298C/C genotype was seen only in early-late RPL (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of double heterozygotes was statistically not significant between patients and controls (P = 0.10; odds ratio = 2.73). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for all variables, homozygosity for MTHFR C677T was associated with late (P < 0.001), and combined early-late (P < 0.001), while homozygosity for A1298C was associated only with combined early-late (P = 0.026), as was secondary-level education, which was associated with early (P = 0.005), late (P = 0.026) and combined early-late (P = 0.004) abortions. Homozygosity for MTHFR C677T (late and early-late) and A1298C (early-late) are risk factor for RPLs, irrespectively of total homocysteine levels.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / genetics*
  • Abortion, Habitual / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / complications*
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / genetics
  • Logistic Models
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Tunisia

Substances

  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)