The Role of Connexin 37 Polymorphism in Spontaneous Abortion

Abstract

Among unique cardiovascular risk factors in women are complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage. Important risk factor is also genetic background. One of powerful candidate genes for cardiovascular disease of atherosclerotic origin (aCVD) is gene for connexin 37 (Cx37) with strong gene-environment interaction including smoking status, that is also strong risk factor for complications in pregnancy including spontaneous abortion (SA). We analyzed association between SA and Cx37 gene polymorphism (1019C>T; Pro319Ser) in 547 fetuses and its potential interaction with smoking status of mothers. Using genetic analyses from women from general population as controls, ORs for T allele, found in our previous studies to be protective against aCVD, were calculated. T allele carriers (fetuses), had OR 0.91 (95 % CI 0.72-1.14) and no interaction with smoking was observed. In conclusion, no significant association between Cx37 polymorphism and SA was observed and no modifying effect of smoking status on this association was detected.