Are polymorphisms in the ACE and PAI-1 genes associated with recurrent spontaneous miscarriages?

Problem: To determine whether the ACE D/D genotype or the combination of PAI-1 4G/4G and ACE D/D genotypes may serve as a risk factor for recurrent pregnancy loss.

Method Of Study: Buccal swabs were obtained from 120 women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and from 84 fertile control women. DNA was extracted from the buccal swab samples using the Qiagen DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Problem: To be successful, pregnancy must induce its own blood supply through angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the best characterized regulator of angiogenesis and one polymorphism of the VEGF gene, -1154, has been suggested to be associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion. The aim of this study was to confirm or refute the relationship of VEGF -1154 to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Method Of Study: Buccal swabs were obtained from 152 women with history of two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions and 65 control women.