Couples' preconception urinary essential trace elements concentration and spontaneous abortion risk: A nested...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Environmental health
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Maternal trace element imbalances during pregnancy are linked to spontaneous abortion (SA).
• The role of preconception essential trace elements from both partners in SA risk is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between preconception essential trace elements in husband-wife dyads and the risk of spontaneous abortion (SA).

Main Methods:

• Analyzed urine samples from 390 couples with SA and 390 matched couples with live births from a preconception cohort.
• Measured ten essential trace elements (Se, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, V, Co, Ni) using ICP-MS.

Main Results:

• Elevated couples' zinc and nickel concentrations were associated with reduced SA risk.
• Higher couples' chromium and manganese levels were linked to increased SA risk.
• U-shaped associations were observed for couples' copper and cobalt concentrations with SA risk.

Conclusions:

• Preconception zinc and nickel levels in couples may protect against SA, while chromium and manganese may increase risk.
• Copper and cobalt exhibit a U-shaped relationship with SA risk.
• Interactions between partners' trace element levels significantly influence SA risk.