Arthur Clément1, Yves Menezo2, Marc Cohen3, Dominique Cornet4, Patrice Clément5. 1. Laboratoire Clément, Avenue d'Eylau, 75016 Paris, France. Electronic address: aclement@laboclement.com. 2. Laboratoire Clément, Avenue d'Eylau, 75016 Paris, France; London Fertility Associates, Harley St, London, UK. Electronic address: yves.menezo@gmail.com. 3. Clinique Natecia, 69008 Lyon, France. Electronic address: mcsafe@gmail.com. 4. Clinique de La Muette, Rue Nicolo, 75016 Paris, France. Electronic address: dc75@wanadoo.fr. 5. Laboratoire Clément, Avenue d'Eylau, 75016 Paris, France. Electronic address: pclement@laboclement.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T (ala222Val) is a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that affects the formation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the active folate that allows the recycling of homocysteine (Hcy) to Methionine. Hcy is at the epicentre of oxidative stress and DNA methylation errors. This SNP often increases the circulating Hcy levels and consequently reduces the methylation process, which is involved in the epigenesis and imprinting of markings in gametes. This study aimed to investigate decreases in Hcy levels in MTHFR SNP carriers. PROCEDURE: Eighty-nine couples with fertility problems for at least 3 years were included in this program. The women were systematically tested for the MTHFR C 677T isoform. If the woman tested positive, testing of the male partner was proposed. All the carriers had well-controlled blood Hcy levels before and after treatment (600μg of 5-MTHF/day, with a backup of one carbon cycle during at least 3 months). FINDINGS: As expected, the circulating Hcy level was higher in the homozygous patients than in the heterozygous and wild-type patients. The treatments caused a significant decrease of the circulating Hcy in the SNP carriers group. CONCLUSIONS: Couples with a long history of infertility should be analysed for MTHFR SNP and homocysteine and should be treated with physiological doses of 5-MTHF instead of high doses of folic acid.
PURPOSE:Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T (ala222Val) is a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that affects the formation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the active folate that allows the recycling of homocysteine (Hcy) to Methionine. Hcy is at the epicentre of oxidative stress and DNA methylation errors. This SNP often increases the circulating Hcy levels and consequently reduces the methylation process, which is involved in the epigenesis and imprinting of markings in gametes. This study aimed to investigate decreases in Hcy levels in MTHFR SNP carriers. PROCEDURE: Eighty-nine couples with fertility problems for at least 3 years were included in this program. The women were systematically tested for the MTHFRC 677T isoform. If the woman tested positive, testing of the male partner was proposed. All the carriers had well-controlled blood Hcy levels before and after treatment (600μg of 5-MTHF/day, with a backup of one carbon cycle during at least 3 months). FINDINGS: As expected, the circulating Hcy level was higher in the homozygous patients than in the heterozygous and wild-type patients. The treatments caused a significant decrease of the circulating Hcy in the SNP carriers group. CONCLUSIONS: Couples with a long history of infertility should be analysed for MTHFR SNP and homocysteine and should be treated with physiological doses of 5-MTHF instead of high doses of folic acid.
Authors: Yves Ménézo; Pasquale Patrizio; Silvia Alvarez; Edouard Amar; Michel Brack; Charles Brami; Jacques Chouteau; Arthur Clement; Patrice Clement; Marc Cohen; Dominique Cornet; Brian Dale; Guiseppe D' Amato; Laetitia Jacquesson-Fournols; Pierre Mares; Paul Neveux; Jean Clement Sage; Edouard Servy; To Minh Huong; Geraldine Viot Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2021-04-29 Impact factor: 3.412