Prevalence of the coagulation factor XIII polymorphism Val34Leu in women with recurrent miscarriage

Background: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) syndrome is not an uncommon obstetrical problem of multifactorial etiology. We investigated the role of the coagulation factor X111 (FXIII) Val34Leu polymorphism in RM. Methods: We recruited 80 subjects (40 normal and 40 with history of RM; of each group 20 pregnant and 20 non-pregnant) and analyzed the prevalence of this polymorphism. The women recruited for the present study had similar age and did not have history of any hemostatic disorders. FX111 levels and activity and the rate of fibrin cross-linking by FX111 genotype Val34Val and Val34Leu were studied. Results: Genotype analyses of patients and normal revealed that the frequencies distribution of Val/Val and Val/leu were statistically similar (P < 0.05): 62.5% and 60%, and 37.5% and 40%, respectively; no Leu/leu genotype was found. The FXIII-A subunit levels and activity were also found similar between Val/Val and Val/leu genotypes in the different groups, pregnant and non-pregnant, normal or with RM. The rate of FXIII a. and gamma-chains fibrin cross-linking was not different between the 2 genotypes. Conclusion: From our results we conclude that FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism does not appear to be associated to RM. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.