The relationships between women's reproductive factors: a Mendelian randomisation analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Human genetics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Reproductive factors like age at menarche and menopause are studied individually.
• The genetic correlation and interplay between these factors are often overlooked.
• This study investigates the complex relationships among eight female reproductive factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic correlations between eight female reproductive factors.
• To determine the causal relationships among these reproductive factors.
• To understand the interplay between women's reproductive characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UK Biobank and genetic consortia data for eight reproductive factors.
• Employed Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression (LDSC) for genetic correlation analysis.
• Applied Mendelian Randomisation (MR) methods to assess causal relationships and conducted sensitivity analyses.

Main Results:

• Most reproductive factors show significant genetic correlations (r_g range: |0.06-0.94|).
• Later age at menarche is causally linked to later age at first sexual intercourse, first birth, last birth, and menopause.
• Later age at first birth is associated with later menopause, later last birth, and fewer births.

Conclusions:

• Women's reproductive factors are interconnected through genetic correlation and causal relationships.
• Future research on reproductive factors and health outcomes should consider the entire reproductive history and interplays.
• This study highlights the importance of a holistic approach to understanding female reproductive health.