Methylation analysis of idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage cases reveals aberrant imprinting at H19 ICR in normozoospermic individuals.

Objective: To study H19 ICR methylation levels in association with sperm parameters routinely analyzed in idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage cases.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Academic research setting.

Patient(s): Male partners of couples with a history of idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM group) and male partners of couples with proven fertility (control group).

Intervention(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Paternal age, sperm concentration, motility, chromatin compaction status, morphology, and H19 ICR methylation were assessed in control and idiopathic RSM group participants.

Result(s): Paternal age and basic semen parameters analyzed did not show any significant difference between the two groups; however H19 ICR methylation levels were reduced significantly in the idiopathic RSM group compared with the control group.

Conclusion(s): Significant reduction in the H19 ICR methylation without significant difference in the sperm parameters demonstrates aberrant imprinting to be associated with idiopathic RSM.