vitamin-b-12 and Infertility

The Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism is associated with various diseases (vascular, cancers, neurology, diabetes, psoriasis, etc) with the epidemiology of the polymorphism of the C677T that varies dependent on the geography and ethnicity. The 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) locus is mapped on chromosome 1 at the end of the short arm (1p36.6). This enzyme is important for the folate metabolism which is an integral process for cell metabolism in the DNA, RNA and protein methylation. The mutation of the MTHFR gene which causes the C677T polymorphism is located at exon 4 which results in the conversion of valine to alanine at codon 222, a common polymorphism that reduces the activity of this enzyme. The homozygous mutated subjects have higher homocysteine levels while the heterozygous mutated subjects have mildly raised homocysteine levels compared with the normal, non-mutated controls. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an emerging risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases and with the increasing significance of this polymorphism in view of the morbidity and mortality impact on the patients, further prevention strategies and nutritional recommendations with the supplementation of vitamin B12 and folic acid which reduces plasma homocysteine level would be necessary as part of future health education. This literature review therefore focuses on the recent evidence-based reports on the associations of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the various diseases globally.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Folic Acid; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Homocysteine; Humans; Infertility; Mental Disorders; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Polymorphism, Genetic; Psoriasis; Vascular Diseases; Vitamin B 12

There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics.. We did a prospective cohort study of 602 women undergoing fertility treatment. We assessed intake of folate and vitamin B12 with a questionnaire and measured their plasma and red-blood-cell concentrations by radioimmunoassay. We measured five B-vitamin-related gene variants in women who received treatment and in 932 women who conceived naturally.. The likelihood of a twin birth after IVF rose with increased concentrations of plasma folate (1.52, 1.01-2.28; p=0.032) and red-cell folate (1.28, 1.00-1.65; p=0.039). There was no association between folate and vitamin B12 levels and likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Women homozygous for the 1298 CC variant of methylenetetrahydro-folate reductase (MTHFR), rather than the AA variant, were less likely to produce a livebirth after IVF (0.24, 0.08-0.71; p=0.003) or to have had a previous pregnancy (0.42, 0.21-0.81; p=0.008).. Our findings suggest that MTHFR genotype is linked to a woman's potential to produce healthy embryos (possibly through interaction with genes related to DNA methylation). In women likely to have a successful IVF pregnancy, high folate status increases the likelihood of twin birth after multiple embryo transfer. Proposals to fortify the UK diet with folic acid could lead to an increase in the number of twins born after IVF.

Topics: Chorionic Gonadotropin; Diet; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Folic Acid; Genotype; Humans; Infertility; Logistic Models; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Twins; Vitamin B 12

Preconceptional folate and vitamin B-12 have been linked to beneficial reproductive outcomes in both natural pregnancies and those after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.. The objective of the study was to evaluate the associations of serum folate and vitamin B-12 with ART outcomes.. This analysis included a random sample of 100 women (154 ART cycles) participating in a prospective cohort study [Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH)] at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center (2007-2013). Serum folate and vitamin B-12 were measured in blood samples collected between days 3 and 9 of treatment. Generalized estimating equations with adjustment for age, BMI, and race were used to evaluate the association of serum folate and vitamin B-12 with ART outcomes.. Women in the highest quartile of serum folate (>26.3 ng/mL) had 1.62 (95% CI: 0.99, 2.65) times the probability of live birth compared with women in the lowest quartile (<16.6 ng/mL). Women in the highest quartile of serum vitamin B-12 (>701 pg/mL) had 2.04 (95% CI: 1.14, 3.62) times the probability of live birth compared with women in the lowest quartile (<439 pg/mL). Suggestive evidence of an interaction was observed; women with serum folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations greater than the median had 1.92 (95% CI: 1.12, 3.29) times the probability of live birth compared with women with folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations less than or equal to the median. This translated into an adjusted difference in live birth rates of 26% (95% CI: 10%, 48%; P = 0.02).. Higher serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B-12 before ART treatment were associated with higher live birth rates among a population exposed to folic acid fortification. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00011713.

Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Endpoint Determination; Female; Folic Acid; Gonadotropins; Humans; Infertility; Live Birth; Nutrition Assessment; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Diethylstilbestrol; Humans; Infertility; Infertility, Male; Male; Oligospermia; Spermatozoa; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Corrinoids; Humans; Infertility; Infertility, Male; Male; Semen; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins

Topics: Hematinics; Humans; Infertility; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatozoa; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins

Topics: Hematinics; Infertility; Infertility, Male; Semen; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Animals; Infertility; Reproduction; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Cervix Uteri; Disease; Female; Humans; Infertility; Infertility, Female; Uterine Diseases; Vitamin B 12