There are many possible reasons for infertility, and your doctor can help you rule out physical problems blocking conception. But when testing has eliminated all major problems, what do you do when you are left without a reason? Sometimes genetic variants can point you to the underlying causes and possible solutions. Check out the following articles to learn more about how common genetic variants can impair fertility.
Infertility, Genes, and Root Causes:
Genetic links to infertility for women ↗
Overview: Infertility can have several underlying causes, including nutrient deficiency, poor egg quality, blood clot susceptibility, and PCOS.
Genes: MTHFR, F5, IGBT3, LHCGR, DENDD1A, FSHR, FSHB, MTNR1B
Genetics, inflammatory cytokines, and recurrent miscarriage ↗
Overview: This article focuses on the role of inflammation and how it impacts pregnancy. We will dive into several different inflammatory cytokines and look at the genetic variants that increase or decrease the risk of recurrent miscarriage.
Genes: IL17, IL1B, TNF, IL10
Genetic Causes of Male Infertility ↗
Overview: Many different genetic variants can increase the risk of infertility in men. These variants impact different aspects of sperm production – from hormones to oxidative stress to DNA damage repair. My goal here is to help you understand where you are more likely to have genetic susceptibility to infertility. Understanding this connection can help you target the right lifestyle interventions and supplements.
Genes: CFTR, PRM1, LIG4, TGFB3, GSTM1, HSPA1L, NOS3, MTHFR, MTRR, FSHR, HFE
Choline ↗
Overview: Choline is an essential nutrient often lacking in the diet. It is especially important in fertility and for the developing baby.
Genes: MTHFD1, PEMT, SLC44A1, CHKA, PCYT1A
Dads matter: MTHFR variants in fathers affect miscarriage risk↗
Overview: While the MTHFR variant is often associated with maternal fertility issues, it can also affect sperm formation. What’s important here is that diet and lifestyle changes can help.
Genes: MTHFR