The impact of FSH receptor polymorphism on time-to-pregnancy: a cross-sectional single-centre study

Single nucleotide polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR) is an important marker of ovarian function. However, its role in female fecundity remains debatable. The aim of the study to assess the relationship of FSHR polymorphism of Serine/Serine, Asparagine/Asparagine and Asparagine/Serine variants directly against the time-to-pregnancy (TTP) in women.

Data were collected from 291 consecutive selected post-partum Caucasians using this criterion: ethnicity, age between 21 and 34-year-old new mothers and, 0-3 days after delivery of newborns in the Klaipeda University Hospital, Lithuania. Questionnaires on factors associated with conception were given to patients, and blood samples were collected for genomic DNA extractions as well as for analysis of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphism. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for time-to-pregnancy were estimated by multivariate logistic regression. Women with unplanned pregnancies and those who received assisted reproductive technologies were not included in the study.

After adjustment for other possible factors, increased risk for time-to-pregnancy of 12 or more months was associated with: Serine/Serine polymorphism variant (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.56-2.71, p = 0.007), age of 30 or more years (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.25-2.71, p = 0.015), gynaecological diseases in the past (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.12-5.74, p = 0.027), prior contraception use (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.14-3.64, p = 0.016), and fertility problems in the past (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.16-4.76, p = 0.019).

The results suggest a possible relationship of FSH receptor gene Serine/Serine variant for the lower possibility of conception during the first 12 months of planned conception.