Differential reproductive efficiency associated with common apolipoprotein e alleles in postreproductive-aged subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible impact of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism on reproductive efficiency.


METHODS
Population study.


METHODS
University Departments and a Laboratory of National Research Council.


METHODS
One hundred sixty healthy unrelated subjects of postreproductive age.


METHODS
Peripheral blood collection and questionnaire administration.


METHODS
Apolipoprotein E genotypes were detected after PCR amplification and CfoI digestion; plasma total cholesterol was assayed.


RESULTS
The mean number of children of e*2 allele carriers (2.4) was lower than that of e*3/e*3 and e*4/e*3 subjects (3.9). The trend was similar (2.8 vs. 4.8) when the number of pregnancies was considered. Moreover, there was a clear inverse relationship between number of children and e*2-carrying genotype proportions (chi(2) for trend = 6.3). Conversely, the e*3/e*3 genotype was associated with the highest number of children and pregnancies (3.9 and 4.9, respectively), and the e*4/e*3 genotype, with intermediate values (3.7 and 4.4). Carriers of e*2 allele also showed the lowest levels of total cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
The e*2 allele seems to be associated with the lowest reproductive efficiency and the e*3 allele, with the highest. The different total cholesterol levels associated with APOE genotypes could have an effect on steroidogenesis and determine as a consequence the observed differential fertility.
Corbo
Rosa M
RM
Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University "La Sapienza,", Rome, Italy. rosamaria.corbo@uniroma1.it
Scacchi
Renato
R
Cresta
Massimo
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017584:Reproductive History
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002784:Cholesterol