Haptoglobin phenotype and reproductive success in repeated spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE

To study the reproductive success of couples with a history of repeated spontaneous abortion (RSA) with respect to the haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes of both the wife and husband.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study examined maternal and paternal Hp in 194 couples with primary and secondary RSA recruited from the Center for Reproductive Disorders of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Rome, La Sapienza. Reproductive success was indicated by the presence of at least one live-born infant after more than 5 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

The proportion of wives carrying Hp2/1 phenotype and with at least one live-born infant is significantly lower than that of wives without a live-born infant. Moreover, the proportion of couples in which both wife and husband possess the Hp2/1 phenotype is much lower in those with at least a live-born infant than in those without a live-born infant. Both maternal and paternal Hp contribute to reproductive success. However, the contribution of maternal Hp appears stronger than that of paternal Hp.

CONCLUSIONS

Hp may play an important role in implantation and/or embryo survival. Couples in which both partners carry the Hp2/1 phenotype have a low probability of producing a live-born infant.