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The role of connexin 37 polymorphism in spontaneous abortion

M Kníže1, J Piťha, J A Hubacek

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Motol University Hospital, Prague 5, Czech Republic. michal.knize@gmail.com.

Physiological Research
|May 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant link between a specific gene (Cx37) polymorphism and spontaneous abortion (SA) in women. Smoking status did not alter this association, indicating no protective or risk effect from this genetic variant on pregnancy complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Genetics
  • Reproductive Health
  • Gene-Environment Interactions

Background:

  • Pregnancy complications like miscarriage are unique cardiovascular risk factors in women.
  • Genetic background and gene-environment interactions, such as smoking, are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease of atherosclerotic origin (aCVD) and pregnancy complications.
  • The gene for connexin 37 (Cx37) is a candidate gene for aCVD, with known interactions with smoking status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between Cx37 gene polymorphism (1019C>T; Pro319Ser) and spontaneous abortion (SA).
  • To explore the potential interaction between Cx37 gene polymorphism and maternal smoking status in relation to SA.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis of Cx37 gene polymorphism (1019C>T; Pro319Ser) in 547 fetuses.
  • Calculation of odds ratios (ORs) for the T allele, previously found to be protective against aCVD.
  • Analysis of potential interaction between the Cx37 polymorphism and maternal smoking status.

Main Results:

  • The T allele of the Cx37 gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with spontaneous abortion (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.72-1.14).
  • No statistically significant interaction was observed between Cx37 gene polymorphism and maternal smoking status concerning spontaneous abortion.
  • The Cx37 T allele, protective against aCVD, did not show a significant association with SA.

Conclusions:

  • There is no significant association between the studied Cx37 gene polymorphism and spontaneous abortion.
  • Maternal smoking status does not modify the relationship between Cx37 gene polymorphism and spontaneous abortion.
  • These findings suggest Cx37 polymorphism is not a major genetic factor for SA in the general population.

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