Is parental consanguinity associated with reduced ovarian reserve?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Human Genetics
• Population Health

Background:

• Consanguinity, defined as unions between related individuals, is practiced in various populations globally.
• Ovarian reserve, a measure of a woman's reproductive potential, is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Limited research exists on the impact of parental consanguinity on female ovarian reserve.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between parental consanguinity and ovarian reserve in women.
• To compare ovarian reserve markers between daughters of consanguineous and non-consanguineous couples.

Main Methods:

• Observational study involving 291 women (≤39 years) in Kuwait.
• Assessment included medical history (parental consanguinity), transvaginal ultrasound for antral follicle count (AFC), and serum hormone levels (FSH, LH, oestradiol, AMH).
• Statistical analyses compared AFC, AMH, and hormonal profiles between groups.

Main Results:

• Daughters of consanguineous parents had a significantly lower median AFC (7) compared to non-consanguineous (11; P < 0.0001).
• Consanguineous patients showed reduced AFC and AMH concentrations, with only 29.9% having AFC ≥ 9 versus 63.9% in non-consanguineous.
• Parental consanguinity was a strong predictor of low ovarian reserve.

Conclusions:

• Parental consanguinity is significantly associated with reduced ovarian reserve in women.
• The findings suggest a potential genetic contribution to diminished ovarian reserve in offspring of consanguineous unions.
• Further research is warranted to explore the link between parental consanguinity and infertility.