Associations between Luteinizing Hormone/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor Polymorphisms and Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: Variants of the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) gene have been investigated for their close associations with assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. However, available data are controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the associations of LHCGR N312S polymorphism (rs2293275) with ART outcomes.

Methods: A thorough search was performed in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from their inception to July 19, 2024. The analysis included five studies, encompassing 2,692 patients with infertility and subfertility. RevMan 5.4 was used for further comprehensive data analysis.

Results: In this study, A allele homozygotes encoded asparagine (N/N), and G allele homozygotes encoded serine (S/S). The number of oocytes retrieved was higher in AA homozygotes than in GG homozygotes (mean difference [MD] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-2.05, I2 = 7%, p = 0.03) or AG heterozygotes (MD 1.26, 95% CI 0.32-2.20, I2 = 45%, p = 0.008). The number of mature oocytes and the distribution of the LHCGR (rs2293275) genotype (MD 0.60, 95% CI -0.25 to 1.45, I2 = 49%, p = 0.17; MD 0.85, 95% CI 0.02-1.68, I2 = 76%, p = 0.05; MD -0.36, 95% CI -1.20 to 0.49, I2 = 56%, p = 0.41) were not significantly different. G allele homozygotes and heterozygotes exhibited an increasing trend in the number of clinical pregnancies compared with A allele homozygotes (odds ratio [OR] 1.69, 95% CI 1.21-2.36, I2 = 0%, p = 0.002; OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09-1.54, I2 = 0%, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: This study revealed associations of LHCGR polymorphism with ART outcomes, implying that the LHCGR N312S polymorphism (rs2293275) may serve as a predictor of certain ART outcomes.