The involvement of the trans-generational effect in the high incidence of the hydatidiform mole in Africa

Introduction: While the incidence of various chromosomal anomalies observed, including triploid partial moles is independent of the socio-economic level, higher incidences of complete hydatidiform mole "CHM" is generally associated with under developed areas. Moreover, studies have shown that some nutritional deficiencies are related to the abnormal development of oocytes and placenta. In Senegal and Morocco, the annual seasonal cycle contains one period with food shortages and the incidence of complete moles is significant. Accordingly, accurate statistical analyses have been performed in these two countries.

Methods: Each month during a one year period, we investigated the occurrence of normal conceptions, molar conceptions and the conception of the future patients in Senegal and Morocco. The comparisons of the conception dates for these three types of conception were analyzed using the Chi-squared test.

Results: 94% of the patients were conceived just prior to the period in the year with food shortages. Consequently, the development of the female embryos occurred under nutritional constraints, which negatively affect the recruitment of the vital factors required for the normal synthesis of DNA, proteins and placental differentiation.

Discussions: A nutritional deficiency in the mother at conception of their daughter (future patient) is implicated in the higher incidence of CHM in their daughters' filiation. These nutritional deficiencies during the first weeks of pregnancy will have repercussions on the normal development of the oocytes. Accordingly, these developmental impairments take place during the embryonic life of the future mothers of complete moles and not during the conception of the moles themselves.