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Causal association between thyroid function and the risk of infertility: a Mendelian randomization study
Qinyu Liu1, Yingkun Qiu2, Jialin Jiang1
1Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|October 21, 2024
Summary
Thyroid function levels (thyroid-stimulating hormone and free tetraiodothyronine) do not appear to cause infertility in men or women. However, high thyroid-stimulating hormone may be linked to endometriosis-related infertility.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Thyroid dysfunction is often linked to infertility, but evidence is mixed.
- Previous studies show inconsistent results regarding thyroid function and infertility in both sexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function and infertility in females and males.
- To analyze the association between thyroid hormones and infertility risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization study design.
- Employed data from large-scale genome-wide association studies (ThyroidOmics, UK Biobank, FinnGen).
- Analyzed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free tetraiodothyronine (fT4), hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism in relation to infertility.
Main Results:
- No causal effect of TSH or fT4 on female or male infertility was found.
- Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism did not show a causal association with infertility.
- A causal relationship was observed between high TSH and endometriosis-related infertility (OR=0.82).
Conclusions:
- Overall thyroid function levels may not be a significant predictor of general infertility risk.
- Findings suggest specific thyroid hormone levels might influence particular infertility conditions, like endometriosis-related infertility.
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