Selection pressure for the factor-V-Leiden mutation and embryo implantation

Wolfgang Göpel*, Michael Ludwig, Ann K. Junge, Thomas Kohlmann, Klaus Diedrich, Jens Möller

*Corresponding author for this work
68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The factor-V-Leiden mutation is seen in high frequencies in white people, despite its contribution to second-trimester abortion, preterm birth, and deep-vein thrombosis. The reason for its high frequency is not known. We investigated 102 mother-child pairs who had had successful in-vitro fertilisation by intracytoplasmic sperm injection as a model for human implantation. In 90% (9 of 10) of mother-child pairs who carried factor-V-Leiden mutation, the first embryo transfer was successful, compared with 49% (45 of 92) in factor-V-Leiden negative pairs (p=0.018, Fisher's exact test). Furthermore, the median number of unsuccessful transfers was lower in pairs who were positive for the mutation (0, range 0-2) than those who were negative (1, 0-8) (p=0.02, Mann Whitney U test) suggesting that improved implantation rate is an important genetic advantage of the factor-V-Leiden mutation.

Original languageEnglish
JournalLancet
Volume358
Issue number9289
Pages (from-to)1238-1239
Number of pages2
ISSN0140-6736
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13.10.2001

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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