Haptoglobin genotype and natural fertility in humans

Abstract

Objective: To study the possible relation between human natural fertility and haptoglobin (Hp) genotype. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Maternity departments of local hospitals in two Italian localities. Patient(s): Healthy women who had just given birth in the maternity departments of two local hospitals (n = 679). Intervention(s): Venous blood collection for determination of Hp genotype with the use of starch gel electrophoresis of hemoglobin-supplemented serum. Main Outcome Measure(s): Distribution of Hp genotypes in relation to age of puerperae. Result(s): In both populations, the proportion of young mothers was much higher among women who were homozygous for the Hp*1 allele (the Hp*1/*1 genotype) than among women who had other Hp genotypes. In addition, the proportion of multiparous women among the older mothers was higher among those with the Hp*1/*1 genotype than among those with other Hp genotypes. Conclusion(s): The data suggest that women with the Hp*1/*1 genotype reproduce at an earlier age and have higher natural fertility potential than women with other Hp genotypes.