Folic acid supplementation and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variations in relation to in vitro fertilization pregnancy outcome. (31st October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murto, Tiina; Kallak, Theodora K.; Hoas, Annica; Altmäe, Signe; Salumets, Andres; Nilsson, Torbjörn K.; Skoog Svanberg, Agneta; Wånggren, Kjell; Yngve, Agneta; Stavreus‐Evers, Anneli
• Is Part Of: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Volume 94:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2014-10-31
• Subjects: Gynecology -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12522
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6349

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aogs12522-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To study folic acid intake, folate status and pregnancy outcome after infertility treatment in women with different infertility diagnoses in relation to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (<italic>MTHFR</italic>) 677C>T, 1298A>C and 1793G>A polymorphisms. Also the use of folic acid supplements, folate status and the frequency of different gene variations were studied in women undergoing infertility treatment and fertile women.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Observational study.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>University hospital.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Population</title> <p>Women undergoing infertility treatment and healthy, fertile, non‐pregnant women.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A questionnaire was used to assess general background data and use of dietary supplements. Blood samples were taken to determine plasma folate and homocysteine levels, and for genomic DNA extraction. A comparison of four studies was performed to assess pregnancy outcome in relation to <italic>MTHFR</italic> 677 TT vs. CC, and 1298 CC vs. AA polymorphisms.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Main outcome measures</title> <p>Folic acid supplement intake, and plasma folate, homocysteine and genomic assays.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Women in the infertility group used significantly more folic acid supplements and had better folate status than fertile women, but pregnancy outcome after fertility treatment was not dependent on folic acid intake, folate status or <italic>MTHFR</italic> gene variations.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12522-sec-0008" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>High folic acid intakes and <italic>MTHFR</italic> gene variations seem not to be associated with helping women to achieve pregnancy during or after fertility treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>