title: Association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene A1298C polymorphism with male infertility: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Published data on the association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene A1298C (rs1801131) polymorphism and male infertility risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. In this meta-analysis, a total of seven case-control studies including 1633 cases and 1735 controls were selected to evaluate the possible association. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the additive model, dominant model, recessive model, and allele-frequency genetic model. In the overall analysis, the frequency of the C1298 allele (C vs. A) was significantly associated with susceptibility to male infertility (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00-1.26). A subgroup analysis of the subjects showed that MTHFR 1298C was associated with significant increased risk of azoospermia in homozygote comparison (CC vs. AA) and recessive mode (CC vs. AA/AC) (OR = 1.66 for CC vs. AA genotype; OR = 1.67 for CC vs. AA/AC genotype). However, no statistically significant increased risk of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia was found in any of the genetic models. In conclusion, this meta-analysis supports that the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is capable of causing male infertility susceptibility, especially azoospermia.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ouxi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Renping
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lugang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xinru
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D053713:Azoospermia / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)