Is parental consanguinity associated with reduced ovarian reserve?

This observational study assessed whether women descending from consanguineous unions have reduced ovarian reserve compared with daughters of non-consanguine couples. Two hundred and ninety-one women (≤39 years) were treated in a tertiary care centre in Kuwait. Women underwent a complete anamnesis, including an evaluation of the possible presence of parental consanguinity, transvaginal ultrasound on day 2/3 of the cycle to obtain the antral follicle count (AFC), determination of serum concentrations of FSH, LH, oestradiol and in case of low ovarian reserve (AFC < 9) anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The median AFC of non-consanguineous daughters was 11, while daughters from consanguineous parents displayed a significantly lower median AFC (7; P < 0⋅0001). FSH was slightly higher in the consanguineous patients, while LH and oestradiol concentrations did not vary between groups. In total, 29.9% of consanguineous patients had an AFC ≥ 9, compared with 63.9% of non-consanguineous patients. Consanguineous patients did not exhibit an age-dependent AFC-decline and displayed reduced AFC and AMH concentrations. The multivariate analysis revealed female consanguinity, as well as surgical history in non-consanguineous women, as strong positive predictors of low ovarian reserve. Parental consanguinity is strongly associated with reduced ovarian reserve. Future studies should evaluate a possible association between parental consanguinity and infertility.