Mitochondrial Venus is more likely to have a lower birthweight

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jul;35(7):569-571. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.04.011. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are associated with a moderately higher risk of preterm birth and low birthweight, but the causes are unknown. A recent study by Mertens et al. reveals a link between being born through ART, ovarian stimulation, and an increased incidence of mitochondrial heteroplasmic variants that correlate with lower birthweight.

Keywords: assisted reproduction; birthweight; mitochondria; ovarian aging; ovarian stimulation; preterm birth.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted