Bioinformatics in Determination of Fertility Among Nigerian Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

2 Department of Education, Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

3 Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

4 Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

5 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos,Nigeria.

Abstract

Genetic studies on infertile patients have revealed various chromosomal irregularities, alterations in single genes, and genetic polymorphisms affecting different biological pathways linked to infertility. Abnormal micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expressions have been linked to female infertility and many human diseases. Mutation, especially in form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), has been linked with failure of conception in humans. This study aims to identify mutations around SNP rs12976445 on gene miRNA125a and investigate their possible association with infertility in Nigerian women. 100 adult women, aged 20 to 51 years, seeking assisted reproductive treatment in selected fertility centers in Lagos were recruited with 100 age-matched controls with proven fertility. Each participant was given a written informed consent and self-administered questionnaire. 5 milliliters blood samples were withdrawn from the ante-cubital vein with new syringes and needles for the extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples for genomic studies. DNA samples were then amplified (using standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) protocols) and visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12976445 was analyzed through genotyping using the BaeGI restriction enzyme. Mutations were observed in the studied SNP rs12976445 especially among the infertile participants. This study shows that SNP rs12976445 on miRNA125a might be a useful genetic determinant of conception among infertile women, and a diagnostic molecular marker in treatment of female infertility in Nigeria. 

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