Problem: We have previously reported the role of polymorphisms of thrombogenic genes involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis as risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss. Thrombophilia has been viewed as a multigenic disorder rather than a monogenetic clinical phenotype and Apo E has been shown to play an important role in lipid metabolism in pregnancy. As individuals carrying the E4 allele of the ApoE gene have the highest risk for thrombosis, we evaluated the frequency of the Apo E4 genotype among women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss.
Method of study: Buccal swabs were obtained from 69 women with a history of two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions and 37 women with at least two live births and not more than one miscarriage. DNA was extracted from the buccal swabs and PCR amplification of Apo E2, E3, and E4 was performed.
Results: Women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss had a significantly higher prevalence of Apo E3/4, E4/4 genotypes (21.7%) compared with control women (5.4%) (P = 0.036).
Conclusion: Apo E4 polymorphism may contribute to the thrombophilic risk factors contributing to recurrent pregnancy loss.