Premature and multiple births in IVF are associated with pretreatment circulating LH/hCG receptor concentration

Abstract

The luteinizing hormone (LH) and pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), share a common receptor: LH/hCG-R or LHCGR. In this prospective study involving 290 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer, we have examined whether pretreatment circulating LHCGR (sLHCGR) influences the course of pregnancy and perinatal outcome after embryo transfer. The blood samples were collected before the fertility treatment began and sLHCGR concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. We demonstrate that extreme pretreatment sLHCGR concentrations (low & high) were linked to abnormal birth weights for singleton births, while very low concentrations of sLHCGR were associated with premature delivery (≤34 weeks) of singletons and multiple births following transfer of ≥2 embryos.

Keywords:

• LH/hCG receptor
• sLHCGR blood test
• embryo transfer
• birth weight
• premature/multiple birth

Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for suggestions which improved presentation of the manuscript. We are indebted to the patients who consented to serum testing.

Disclosure statement

The clinical applications of LHCGR test in human reproduction have been patented by Origin Biomarkers where SB and AEC are shareholders; CF, MG and WM have nothing to declare.

Funding

This study was partly supported by an award [SMART/13/058/13/9234] from Scottish Enterprise to SB.