title: Impact of 677C>T mutation of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase on IVF outcome: is screening necessary for all infertile women?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphisms of genes connected to folate metabolism may alter the beneficial effect of folic acid on the methyl group cycle. The most common variation is the 677C>T polymorphism of the gene of the 5,10-methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). The aim of this study is to investigate of what influence, if any, does MTHFR 677C>T mutation have on female fertility and on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 273 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The study group (group A) consisted of 103 women, homozygous for the MTHFR 677C>T mutant genotype. The control group (group B) consisted of 170 patients without the mutation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A longer stimulation duration was found in group A and the total amount of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) needed was appreciably higher. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in group B, although the implantation rate and clinical pregnancies were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alteration of inherited thrombophilic factors is connected with early pregnancy loss and IVF implantation failure. Our study showed an abortion rate higher, but not statistically significant, in group A. Based on these findings, our study suggests that MTHFR 677C>T mutation does not affect the IVF outcome and patients without thrombophilic risk factors undergoing an IVF cycle should not all be screened for thrombophilic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. roberto.marci@unife.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lisi
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soave
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Monte
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patella
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)