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Cell-free DNA and telomere length among women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment

  • Technological Innovations
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The current research is aimed at finding potential non-invasive bio-markers that will help us learn more about the mechanisms at play in failed assisted reproduction treatment. This exploratory pilot study examined the relationship between cell-free DNA (CFD) in plasma and telomere length in lymphocytes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and compared telomere length and CFD levels to a healthy control group.

Methods

Blood of 20 women undergoing IVF was collected at three time points during the IVF cycle. We assessed the relationship between CFD and telomere length as well as controlling for morning cortisol levels. We also collected blood of 10 healthy controls at two time points (luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle) and compared mean telomere length, CFD, and cortisol levels between the IVF patients and healthy controls.

Results

The results revealed an inverse relationship between CFD levels and telomere lengths at several time points that remained significant even after controlling for cortisol levels. Women undergoing IVF had statistically significant higher levels of CFD and shorter telomeres compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions

The relationship between telomere length and CFD should be further explored in larger studies in order to uncover potential mechanisms that cause both shortened telomere length and elevated CFD in women undergoing IVF.

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Acknowledgments

This study was completed with the generous help of the Warshawsky family, in memory of their daughter, Dr. Lora Warshawsky-Livne, z’l. While submitting this paper, Johanna Czamanski-Cohen was supported by a NIH R25T Cancer Prevention and Control Translational Research postdoctoral fellowship, grant number: R25 (CA078447-14), Alberts (PI).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, 85724-0524, USA

    J. Czamanski-Cohen

  2. The Spitzer Department of Social Work and the Center for Women’s Health Studies and Promotion, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel

    O. Sarid & J. Cwikel

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel, 84105

    A. Douvdevani

  4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel, 84105

    A. Douvdevani, E. Levitas, E. Lunenfeld & I. Har-Vardi

  5. Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Ob/Gyn, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel, 84105

    E. Levitas, E. Lunenfeld & I. Har-Vardi

Authors
  1. J. Czamanski-Cohen
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  2. O. Sarid
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  3. J. Cwikel
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  4. A. Douvdevani
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  5. E. Levitas
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  6. E. Lunenfeld
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  7. I. Har-Vardi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Czamanski-Cohen.

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The protocol was approved by the hospital’s ethics review board.

Additional information

Capsule Women undergoing IVF had shorter telomeres and higher concentrations of cell free DNA (CFD) compared to healthy controls. An inverse relationship between telomere length and CFD was found among women undergoing IVF treatment. Further research is indicated to identify potential mechanisms that cause shortened telomere length and elevated CFD in women undergoing IVF.

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Czamanski-Cohen, J., Sarid, O., Cwikel, J. et al. Cell-free DNA and telomere length among women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 1697–1703 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0581-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0581-4

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