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Reduced protein C Global assay level in infertile women prior to IVF-ET treatment

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Purpose

In the last few years more robust evidence is emerging to point out at an increased rate of prematurity and low birth weight in singleton pregnancies following ART. Whether this increased rate is related to ART practice or to infertility per se, is still an open question. Our aim in this study was to explore this question by evaluating Protein C (ProC) Global assay in infertile women before ART treatment.

Methods

A cohort of 95 unselected and consecutive infertile women, eligible for ART, was prospectively recruited for the study. The control group included 77 matched healthy fertile women with a history of spontaneous conceptions. Pro C Global assay was evaluated in both groups. A full thrombophilic work-up was performed in the study group.

Results

ProC Global assay level was found to be significantly lower in the study as compared to the control group, corresponding to 0.78 ± 0.16 and 0.88 ± 0.16, respectively (P < 0.01). As well, abnormal ProC Global assay level of ≤ 0.8 was significantly higher in the study as compared to control group corresponding to 53 % and 29 %, respectively. ProC Global assay level was significantly lower in women within the study group found to have APCR, factor V Leiden and high factor VIII level, any thrombophilia or combined thrombophilia when compared to women without these thrombophilic risk factors.

Conclusions

Reduced ProC Global assay level is encountered in infertile women prior to ART treatment. This finding may suggest a unique anticoagulation Protein C pathway in infertile as compared to fertile women. Further studies are encouraged to explore this finding.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Brenda Zecharia, Ruti Brill, Kochi Navone and Adina Katz for their assistance in blood samples collection, handling and freezing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Poriya Medical Center, Tiberias, 15208, Israel

    Johnny S. Younis & Moshe Ben-Ami

  2. Faculty of Medicine in Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel

    Johnny S. Younis & Moshe Ben-Ami

  3. Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Ido Izhaki

  4. Hematology Laboratory, Haifa, Israel

    Galit Sarig

  5. Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel

    Benjamin Brenner & Galit Sarig

  6. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Benjamin Brenner & Galit Sarig

Authors
  1. Johnny S. Younis
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  2. Moshe Ben-Ami
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  3. Ido Izhaki
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  4. Benjamin Brenner
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  5. Galit Sarig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johnny S. Younis.

Additional information

Capsule Protein C Global assay results are significantly lower in infertile patients, before ART treatment as compared to fertile healthy controls. This may support the notion that the increased perinatal risks in singleton pregnancies following ART treatment, is related to infertility per se and not to the technology.

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Younis, J.S., Ben-Ami, M., Izhaki, I. et al. Reduced protein C Global assay level in infertile women prior to IVF-ET treatment. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 101–107 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0131-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0131-x

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