Genetics and Health

Growth and Metabolic Genes in IVF Children May Be Altered

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on June 9th, 2005

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and related techniques are now commonplace. Because of the procedures’ relatively short history, however, it is still not well understood how they might affect the health of children born from IVF conception. A recent study has found that IVF children are taller and have higher levels of HDL, the good cholesterol. (PR Newswire, June 7, 2005)

Scientists hypothesize that IVF affects imprinted genes involved in growth and metabolism. Imprinted genes rely on chemical modifications of DNA for proper expression, such as the addition of methyl groups on the DNA backbone. IVF may change the pattern of methylation on imprinted genes thus leading to changes in gene expression and subsequent protein translation resulting in observable differences.

Given the artificial nature of IVF, it would make more sense that pre-implanation manipulations might have more negative effects than positive. In fact, a higher risk of some genetic disorders, such as Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome, has been observed in children conceived by IVF.

As expected, children born following IVF were born slightly earlier with a lower birth weight. Surprisingly they were also taller than controls when evaluated for their projected height based on their parents’. There were sexual differences with IVF girls being taller than IVF boys. The IVF group had higher levels of serum IGF I, IGF II and IGFBP3. IVF children also had higher HDL levels, suggesting they are at less risk for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, lower triglyceride levels and a trend toward lower LDL levels, the un-healthy cholesterol. There was no significant difference in fasting insulin or body composition.

This is encouraging news for people who are unable to conceive naturally.

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health