Oxidative Stress and Genetic Instabilities in Female Infertility

Abstract

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Around 60 80 million couples suffering from infertility every year worldwide, probably between 15 and 20 million (25%) are in India alone. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of OxS and genetic instabilities in female infertility. Moreover, to assess and to correlate the association of NFKBIA gene polymorphism with various inflammatory and oxidative stress markers among subjects with female infertility. newlineIn the current study, 176 female subjects, who were clinically diagnosed and suffering from varying degrees of infertility problems were selected as test subjects. In control group, 170 age matched healthy women having one or more live children were selected. Among the 346 study subjects, genotype analysis was performed in forty seven subjects. Genotyping test was carried outin 30 test subjects and 17 control subjects. Among these, 62% showed homozygous normal type (AA), 17% (n=8) showed heterozygous abnormal type (AG) and 21% (n=10) with homozygous mutant gene (GG). The current study frankly proved that, gene polymorphism had a significant role in infertile subjects. newlineIncreased OxS, decreased DNA repair efficiency, increased DNA damages and higher inflammatory response are observed in infertile female patients. Healthy lifestyle factors, including exercise, are associated significantly with reduced DNA damage. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting regular checkups and maintenance of normal body weight can avoid problems related to infertility. newline newline