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Nasri K, Ben Fradj MK, Touati A, Aloui M, Ben Jemaa N, Masmoudi A, Elmay MV, Omar S, Feki M, Kaabechi N, Marrakchi R, Gaigi SS. Association of maternal homocysteine and vitamins status with the risk of neural tube defects in Tunisia: A case-control study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:1011-20. [DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaouther Nasri
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte; Université de Carthage; 7021 Zarzouna Bizerte Tunisia
- UR 06/ SP14 Troubles du développement embryo-fœtal et placentaire, Service d'embryo-fœtopathologie, Centre de Maternité et de Néonatologie La Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Kacem Ben Fradj
- UR 05/08-08, Département de biochimie, Hôpital la Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Asma Touati
- Laboratoire de Biologie clinique, Institut National Mongi Ben Hmida de Neurologie; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Mariem Aloui
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte; Université de Carthage; 7021 Zarzouna Bizerte Tunisia
- UR 06/ SP14 Troubles du développement embryo-fœtal et placentaire, Service d'embryo-fœtopathologie, Centre de Maternité et de Néonatologie La Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Nadia Ben Jemaa
- UR 06/ SP14 Troubles du développement embryo-fœtal et placentaire, Service d'embryo-fœtopathologie, Centre de Maternité et de Néonatologie La Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Aida Masmoudi
- UR 06/ SP14 Troubles du développement embryo-fœtal et placentaire, Service d'embryo-fœtopathologie, Centre de Maternité et de Néonatologie La Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Michèle Véronique Elmay
- 01/UR/08-07 Laboratoire d'histologie, embryologie et biologie cellulaire de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Souhail Omar
- Laboratoire de Biologie clinique, Institut National Mongi Ben Hmida de Neurologie; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Moncef Feki
- UR 05/08-08, Département de biochimie, Hôpital la Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Naziha Kaabechi
- UR 05/08-08, Département de biochimie, Hôpital la Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Raja Marrakchi
- Laboratoire de génétique, immunologie et pathologie humaine, faculté des sciences de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 2092 Tunis Tunisia
| | - Soumeya Siala Gaigi
- UR 06/ SP14 Troubles du développement embryo-fœtal et placentaire, Service d'embryo-fœtopathologie, Centre de Maternité et de Néonatologie La Rabta et de la Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université El Manar II; 1007 Tunis Tunisia
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van Uitert EM, van Ginkel S, Willemsen SP, Lindemans J, Koning AHJ, Eilers PHC, Exalto N, Laven JSE, Steegers EAP, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. An optimal periconception maternal folate status for embryonic size: the Rotterdam Predict study. BJOG 2014; 121:821-9. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- EM van Uitert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - S van Ginkel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - SP Willemsen
- Department of Biostatistics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - J Lindemans
- Department of Clinical Chemistry; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - AHJ Koning
- Department of Bioinformatics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - PHC Eilers
- Department of Biostatistics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - N Exalto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - JSE Laven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - EAP Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - RPM Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics; Erasmus University Medical Centre; Rotterdam the Netherlands
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Divyya S, Naushad SM, Addlagatta A, Murthy P, Reddy CR, Digumarti RR, Gottumukkala SR, Kumar A, Rammurti S, Kutala VK. Paradoxical role of C1561T glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) genetic polymorphism in altering disease susceptibility. Gene 2012; 497:273-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Ceyhan ST, Beyan C, Atay V, Yaman H, Alanbay I, Kaptan K, Başer I. Serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in pregnant women with neural tube defect. Gynecol Endocrinol 2010; 26:578-81. [PMID: 20632912 DOI: 10.3109/09513591003632183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to investigate the importance of serum vitamin B12 levels in pregnant women with foetal neural tube defect (NTD). STUDY DESIGN This study consists of 31 pregnant women having fetuses with NTD. The pregnant women in the study group were selected among cases with normal folate levels. Serum vitamin B12 levels were investigated. Additionally, complete blood count, serum iron level, iron binding capacity, ferritin, folate, free T(3), free T(4), thyroid stimulating hormone and plasma homocysteine levels were measured. Control group consisted of 32 pregnant women who did not have a history of NTD in previous pregnancies and did not have fetuses with NTD in present pregnancy. NTD was diagnosed between 14th and 20th gestational age. The mean gestational age of members of control group was the same as those of NTD group. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between pregnants with NTD and control group according to number of cases with vitamin B12 deficiency. CONCLUSION It seems that vitamin B12 deficiency does not play a causative role in the development of foetal NTD. Monitoring maternal homocystein levels might be important in understanding the aetiologies of foetal NTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyit T Ceyhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
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Govindaiah V, Naushad SM, Prabhakara K, Krishna PC, Radha Rama Devi A. Association of parental hyperhomocysteinemia and C677T Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss. Clin Biochem 2008; 42:380-6. [PMID: 19111530 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2008.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2008] [Revised: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 12/07/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association of parental hyperhomocysteinemia, C677T Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and DNA damage with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). DESIGN AND METHODS A case-control study. Reverse phase HPLC, PCR-RFLP and Cytokinesis blocked micronuclei assay were used to assess total plasma homocysteine, C677T MTHFR polymorphism and DNA damage respectively. Student t-test, ANOVA and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Maternal [mean: 11.6+/-5.0 versus 8.6+/-4.2 micromol/L, odds ratio (OR): 4.48] and paternal [mean: 19.6+/-9.5 versus 14.2+/-7.4 micromol/L, OR: 6.92] hyperhomocysteinemia, paternal age [OR: 1.16], paternal MTHFR 677T allele [OR: 2.30] and DNA damage were found to increase the risk for RPL. DNA damage showed positive correlation with plasma homocysteine and MTHFR 677T allele. CONCLUSIONS Parental hyperhomocysteinemia, paternal age, paternal C677T MTHFR polymorphism and DNA damage are risk factors for RPL. DNA damage showed positive correlation with plasma homocysteine and MTHFR 677T allele.
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Brouns R, Ursem N, Lindemans J, Hop W, Pluijm S, Steegers E, Steegers-Theunissen R. Polymorphisms in genes related to folate and cobalamin metabolism and the associations with complex birth defects. Prenat Diagn 2008; 28:485-93. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Wenstrom KD, Johanning GL, Owen J, Johnston KE, Acton S, Tamura T. Role of amniotic fluid homocysteine level and of fetal 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrafolate reductase genotype in the etiology of neural tube defects. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 2000; 90:12-6. [PMID: 10602111 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(20000103)90:1<12::aid-ajmg3>3.0.co;2-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A mutation in the gene 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), leading to altered homocysteine metabolism, has been identified in parents and fetuses with fetal neural tube defects. We sought to determine which is of greater importance in fetal neural tube defect formation: the fetal MTHFR mutation or elevated amniotic fluid homocysteine level. We retrieved stored amniotic fluid from cases of isolated fetal neural tube defect diagnosed from 1988 to 1998 (n = 80), and from normal controls matched for race, month and year of amniocentesis, and maternal age. The presence or absence of the 677C-->T mutation of MTHFR was determined and homocysteine levels were measured; cases and controls were compared. Significantly more cases than controls were heterozygous or homozygous for the 677C-->T MTHFR mutation (44% vs 17%, P < or = 0.001). Cases were also significantly more likely than controls to have an amniotic fluid homocysteine level above the 90th centile (>1.85 micromol per liter); 27% vs 10%, P = 0.02. Thirty one cases and 12 controls had an abnormal genotype; however, amniotic fluid homocysteine levels were not significantly different between these two groups (6/31, or 19% of cases had an elevated homocysteine compared to 1/12, or 8% of controls; P = 0.65). In contrast, 40 cases and 60 controls had a normal genotype; the neural tube defect cases had significantly higher homocysteine levels (13/40, or 32% of cases had an elevated homocysteine level compared to only 6/60, or 10% of controls; P = 0.008). Although both abnormal fetal MTHFR genotype and abnormal amniotic fluid homocysteine concentration are significantly associated with neural tube defects, the association with amniotic fluid homocysteine concentration is significant regardless of the fetal MTHFR genotype. The relationship between maternal and fetal homocysteine metabolism is complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- K D Wenstrom
- The Center for Obstetric Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35233-7333, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the current literature on nutrition to provide a basis for counseling patients. DESIGN Literature review. RESULT(S) Studies on nutrition and nutritional supplements in women's health are found primarily in literature not typically read by reproductive endocrinologists and gynecologist/obstetricians. A surprising number of people do not receive the vitamins and minerals that they need. Soy and soy isoflavones should be considered an important part of the diet. CONCLUSION(S) A better understanding of nutrition and nutritional supplements may reduce or prevent illness, saving the health care system millions of dollars each year.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Seibel
- Fertility Center of New England, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE A summary about the final results of the Hungarian double-blind placebo controlled randomised trial of periconceptional folic acid containing multivitamin and trace element supplementation. RESULTS The major finding is a significant prevention of the first occurrence of neural-tube defect, urinary tract and cardiovascular defects, in addition a decrease in the rate of limb deficiencies and congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Fertility was slightly improved and the rate of twins increased significantly after periconceptional multivitamin supplementation. The effect of multivitamin supplementation for fetal death is controversial, but in general there is no clinically significant change. Periconceptional multivitamin supplementation can reduce the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATIONS Consumption of foods which are rich in folate may not be the best way to prevent neural-tube defects and other congenital abnormalities. Periconceptional multivitamin supplementation is part of the periconceptional care in Hungary and it is an appropriate forum for the practical delivery for this primary prevention action. However, as a large proportion of pregnancies are unplanned, the widespread use of bread fortified with folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6 may decrease a considerable part of neural-tube defects and some other congenital abnormalities, in addition to vascular diseases due to hyperhomocysteinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Czeizel
- Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, National Institute of Public Health-WHO Collaborating Centre for the Community Control of Hereditary Diseases, OKI, Budapest, Hungary
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Steegers-Theunissen RP, Wathen NC, Eskes TK, van Raaij-Selten B, Chard T. Maternal and fetal levels of methionine and homocysteine in early human pregnancy. BRITISH JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY 1997; 104:20-4. [PMID: 8988690 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb10642.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate methionine metabolism during normal human embryonic development by measuring levels of methionine and total homocysteine in samples of maternal serum, extra-embryonic coelomic fluid, and amniotic fluid. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Collaboration between St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and the University Hospital of Nijmegen in The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-three women with uncomplicated pregnancies between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation before surgical termination of an ultrasonographically normal fetus. METHODS Maternal serum samples were collected prior to surgery. Samples of extra-embryonic fluid and amniotic fluids were obtained by transvaginal ultrasound-guided coelocentesis and amniocentesis. Methionine was measured using an amino acid analyser and total homocysteine by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Levels of methionine were four times higher in extra-embryonic coelomic fluid and twice as high in amniotic fluid compared with maternal serum. In contrast, the total homocysteine concentrations were much lower in both extra-embryonic coelomic fluid and amniotic fluid than in maternal serum. All differences were significant (P < or = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The comparatively high concentrations of methionine in extra-embryonic coelomic fluid and amniotic fluid, and the concomitant low levels of total homocysteine in these fluids, suggest a role for methionine metabolism during early human pregnancy.
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Steegers-Theunissen RP, Boers GH, Blom HJ, Nijhuis JG, Thomas CM, Borm GF, Eskes TK. Neural tube defects and elevated homocysteine levels in amniotic fluid. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995; 172:1436-41. [PMID: 7755050 DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)90474-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to study maternal blood and amniotic fluid concentrations of homocysteine and relevant vitamins in relation to neural tube defects. STUDY DESIGN Concentrations of total homocysteine, folate, and vitamins B12 and B6 were measured in maternal blood and amniotic fluid of 27 women carrying a fetus with a neural tube defect and 31 control women carrying a healthy fetus. RESULTS The mean total homocysteine concentration in amniotic fluid of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The mean concentrations of total homocysteine in blood and the vitamins folate, B12, and B6 in, respectively, blood and amniotic fluid were not significantly different between the groups. The mean concentrations of homocysteine and vitamin B6 were significantly lower in amniotic fluid than in blood in both groups, whereas vitamin B12 in amniotic fluid was higher than in blood. CONCLUSION These results support the hypothesis that at least the cause of a subset of neural tube defects could reside in a primary or secondary maternal or fetal derangement of homocysteine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Steegers-Theunissen RP, Boers GH, Trijbels FJ, Finkelstein JD, Blom HJ, Thomas CM, Borm GF, Wouters MG, Eskes TK. Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia: a risk factor for neural-tube defects? Metabolism 1994; 43:1475-80. [PMID: 7990699 DOI: 10.1016/0026-0495(94)90004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The maternal vitamin status, especially of folate, is involved in the pathogenesis of neural-tube defects (NTDs). Maternal folate administration can prevent these malformations. The precise metabolic mechanism of the beneficial effect of folate is unclear. In this study we focus on homocysteine accumulation, which may derive from abnormalities of metabolism of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. We studied nonpregnant women, 41 of whom had given birth to infants with NTDs and 50 control women who previously had normal offspring. The determinations included the plasma total homocysteine both in the fasting state and 6 hours after the ingestion of a methionine load. In addition, we measured the fasting blood levels of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. The mean values for both basal homocysteine and homocysteine following a methionine load were significantly increased in the group of women who previously had infants with NTDs. In nine of these subjects and two controls, the values after methionine ingestion exceeded the mean control by more than 2 standard deviations. Cystathionine synthase levels in skin fibroblasts derived from these methionine-intolerant women were within the normal range. Our findings suggest a disorder in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine due to an acquired (ie, nutritional) or inherited derangement of folate or vitamin B12 metabolism. Increased homocysteine levels can be normalized by administration of vitamin B6 or folate. Therefore, we suggest that the prevention of NTDs by periconceptional folate administration may effectively correct a mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Tamura T, Weekes EW, Birch R, Franklin JC, Cosper P, Davis RO, Finley SC, Finley WH. Relationship between amniotic fluid and maternal blood nutrient levels. J Perinat Med 1994; 22:227-34. [PMID: 7823263 DOI: 10.1515/jpme.1994.22.3.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To study the relationships between amniotic fluid and maternal blood nutrient concentrations, we obtained amniotic fluid and blood samples simultaneously from 76 pregnant women at around 17 weeks gestation. Folate and vitamin B-12 levels were measured by microbiological assay and radioassay, respectively, and zinc, copper and iron levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean concentrations of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) folate and plasma copper of the pregnant women were 38 (+/- 1, SD), 1,501 (+/- 374) nmol/L, and 32.7 (+/- 4.8) mumol/L, respectively, all of which were higher than those of healthy non-pregnant controls (p < 0.001). Mean concentrations of plasma vitamin B-12, zinc and iron levels and RBC zinc were 320 (+/- 130) pmol/L, 12.2 (+/- 2.3), 21.7 (+/- 6.1) and 177 (+/- 30) mumol/L and these were similar to those of non-pregnant controls. Amniotic fluid folate, zinc, copper and iron concentrations were 21 (+/- 13) nmol/L, 1.4 (+/- 0.6), 1.7 (+/- 0.6) and 6.8 (+/- 2.1) mumol/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than plasma levels (p < 0.001). However, this relationship was reversed for vitamin B-12 (650 +/- 420 pmol/L). Significant correlations were found between amniotic fluid and maternal plasma and RBC for folate, and between amniotic fluid and maternal plasma for vitamin B-12 (p < 0.001). No such correlations were observed for zinc, copper and iron. There was no correlation between amniotic fluid and/or blood nutrient concentrations and pregnancy outcome including birth weight of infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Tamura
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Steegers-Theunissen RP, Steegers EA, Thomas CM, Hollanders HM, Peereboom-Stegeman JH, Trijbels FJ, Eskes TK. Study on the presence of homocysteine in ovarian follicular fluid. Fertil Steril 1993; 60:1006-10. [PMID: 8243678 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56401-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the presence of homocysteine, methionine and the vitamins folate, B12, and B6 in human ovarian follicular fluid (FF). DESIGN Measurement of homocysteine, methionine, folate, and vitamins B12 and B6 in ovarian FF and blood. SETTING Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Radboud Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen healthy women undergoing an IVF program. RESULTS Detectable amounts of homocysteine and methionine were found in FF. Homocysteine concentrations were similar to those in serum. Methionine concentrations proved to be slightly but significantly lower than in corresponding serum samples. Concentrations of vitamins B12 and B6 were significantly lower in FF than in serum, whereas folate concentrations were not significantly different. A statistically significant correlation between corresponding serum and FF concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 could be established. CONCLUSIONS These data support the hypothesis that the ovum might be exposed to high homocysteine or low methionine concentrations, or both, and a lack of vitamins, which might be important in fertilization and early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Steegers-Theunissen RP, Boers GH, Steegers EA, Trijbels FJ, Thomas CM, Eskes TK. Effects of sub-50 oral contraceptives on homocysteine metabolism: a preliminary study. Contraception 1992; 45:129-39. [PMID: 1532773 DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(92)90047-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The influence of a monophasic sub-50 oral contraceptive (OC), Marvelon, on fasting total homocysteine levels was investigated in OC users and controls. Homocysteine levels in serum of OC users were significantly higher (P less than .01) than in controls during the low-hormonal phase of the cycles and comparable with levels determined in heterozygotes for homocystinuria. Blood levels of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) were significantly lower (P less than .05) in OC users both in the low and high hormonal phase. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of homocysteine nor in folate and vitamin B12 between both groups in the high-hormonal phase. In contrast to the control group, the homocysteine levels in OC users in the high-hormonal phase of the cycle were significantly decreased compared with those on a low-hormonal day (P less than .05). These data suggest that cyclically recurrent periods of hyperhomocysteinemia do occur during sub-50 OC use in normal women and might be considered a predisposition to the occurrence of vascular complications.
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