Haptoglobin genotype and natural fertility in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To study the possible relation between human natural fertility and haptoglobin (Hp) genotype.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Maternity departments of local hospitals in two Italian localities.


METHODS
Healthy women who had just given birth in the maternity departments of two local hospitals (n = 679).


METHODS
Venous blood collection for determination of Hp genotype with the use of starch gel electrophoresis of hemoglobin-supplemented serum.


METHODS
Distribution of Hp genotypes in relation to age of puerperae.


RESULTS
In both populations, the proportion of young mothers was much higher among women who were homozygous for the Hp*1 allele (the Hp*1/*1 genotype) than among women who had other Hp genotypes. In addition, the proportion of multiparous women among the older mothers was higher among those with the Hp*1/*1 genotype than among those with other Hp genotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that women with the Hp*1/*1 genotype reproduce at an earlier age and have higher natural fertility potential than women with other Hp genotypes.
Bottini
N
N
University of Camerino, Italy. nunzio.bottini@uniroma2.it
Gimelfarb
A
A
Gloria-Bottini
F
F
La Torre
M
M
Lucarelli
P
P
Lucarini
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008423:Maternal Age; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values
D006242:Haptoglobins