title: Is parental consanguinity associated with reduced ovarian reserve?
abstract: This observational study assessed whether women descending from consanguineous unions have reduced ovarian reserve compared with daughters of non-consanguine couples. Two hundred and ninety-one women (≤39 years) were treated in a tertiary care centre in Kuwait. Women underwent a complete anamnesis, including an evaluation of the possible presence of parental consanguinity, transvaginal ultrasound on day 2/3 of the cycle to obtain the antral follicle count (AFC), determination of serum concentrations of FSH, LH, oestradiol and in case of low ovarian reserve (AFC < 9) anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The median AFC of non-consanguineous daughters was 11, while daughters from consanguineous parents displayed a significantly lower median AFC (7; P < 0⋅0001). FSH was slightly higher in the consanguineous patients, while LH and oestradiol concentrations did not vary between groups. In total, 29.9% of consanguineous patients had an AFC ≥ 9, compared with 63.9% of non-consanguineous patients. Consanguineous patients did not exhibit an age-dependent AFC-decline and displayed reduced AFC and AMH concentrations. The multivariate analysis revealed female consanguinity, as well as surgical history in non-consanguineous women, as strong positive predictors of low ovarian reserve. Parental consanguinity is strongly associated with reduced ovarian reserve. Future studies should evaluate a possible association between parental consanguinity and infertility.
authors.affiliation: ZAUM, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technische Universität München, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, D-80802 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seher
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiering
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Majdah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Azemi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.affiliation: ZAUM, Helmholtz Center Munich, Technische Universität München, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, D-80802 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Weber
authors.affiliation: Association of American Medical Colleges, 655 K Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001-2399, USA; Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Coleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kivlahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gutermuth
authors.affiliation: IVI-GCC Fertility, Royale Marina, 60202, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: human.fatemi@fatemifertility.com.
authors.forename: Human M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fatemi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D003241:Consanguinity; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000235:genetics*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: AMH; FSH; antral follicle count; consanguinity; female fertility; ovarian reserve