Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss.
OBJECTIVE
To be successful, pregnancy must induce its own blood supply through angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the best characterized regulator of angiogenesis and one polymorphism of the VEGF gene, -1154, has been suggested to be associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion. The aim of this study was to confirm or refute the relationship of VEGF -1154 to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).


METHODS
Buccal swabs were obtained from 152 women with history of two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions and 65 control women. DNA was extracted from the buccal swabs and analyzed for the presence of the VEGF -1154A/A gene.


RESULTS
The frequency of homozygosity of the VEGF -1154A gene was significantly higher among women experiencing RPL compared with fertile control women (16% versus 6%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Homozygosity of the VEGF -1154A gene may serve as a susceptibility factor affecting for RPL.
Coulam
Carolyn B
CB
Pregnancy Success Center of the Rinehart Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. cbcoulam@aol.com
Jeyendran
Rajasingham S
RS
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A