Inherited and Acquired Thrombophilia and Infertility in a Population of Brazilian Women

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between thrombophilia and infertility Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Assisted fertilization center Patients: The infertile women (n=130) selected were receiving care at a private clinic in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A control group was comprised ofhealthy fertile women (n=260) who received care from a family planning outpatient clinic at the Women’s Hospital (CAISM) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Interventions: Blood samples were taken from all participants. Positive tests were repeated 12 weeks later to exclude transitory antiphospholipid antibodies. Main Outcome Measures: Determination of mutations in prothrombin genes, factor V Leiden, as well as deficiencies of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III (AT‐III), anticardiolipin antibody, and lupus anticoagulant. Results: Anticardiolipin antibodies were found in 10% of the infertile women and in 0.4% of the fertile women (p<0.0001; OR= 3.61), while lupus anticoagulant was found in 0.8% of the infertile group and in none of the fertile group (p 0.33 ; OR= 0.24). Protein C deficiency was found in 3.8% and 0.8% (p 0.04 ; OR= 0.97), protein S deficiency in 5.4% and 0% (p<0.0001; OR= 1.7), antithrombin deficiency in 3.8% and 0.4% (p<0.01; OR= 1.2), Factor V Leiden in 3.1% and 1.5% (p 0.45 ; OR= 0.5), and prothrombin gene mutation G20210A in 2.3% and 1.9% (p 1.0 ; OR= 0.28), respectively. Conclusion: Acquired and Inherited thrombophilia, as evidenced by positive results for anticardiolipin antibody and natural anticoagulant deficiency (PC, PS, and AT)