Association of blood type and patient characteristics with ovarian reserve

Fertil Steril. 2013 Dec;100(6):1735-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.08.027. Epub 2013 Sep 19.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether blood type was associated with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (day-3 follicle-stimulating hormone level >10 IU/L), controlling for history of tobacco smoking, body mass index (BMI), history of endometriosis, ovarian surgery, previous pregnancy, and maternal age.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic medical center, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Patient(s): Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) from 2006-2011 (n = 305).

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Presence of DOR in relation to a patient's blood type.

Result(s): Other investigators have reported an increased risk for DOR in patients with blood type O and a protective effect on ovarian reserve for blood type A. We observed no association between a woman's blood type and DOR. We found an increased risk for DOR in patients aged 35 and older. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 vs. BMI <25) was associated with lower odds of DOR.

Conclusion(s): In comparison with blood type A, blood type O is not associated with an increase in DOR. We found no clinical implications for using blood type as a risk factor for DOR.

Keywords: Blood type; FSH; infertility; obesity; ovarian reserve.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / statistics & numerical data*
  • Causality
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infertility, Female / blood*
  • Infertility, Female / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Ovulation Inhibition*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone