Emobileclinic Researchers’corner
Emobileclinic reporter: Femi Fayomi
More women are now undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Treatment, with the number increasing annually. This is often attributed to the growing trend for postponing motherhood until later in life. But now it seems a woman’s chances of conceiving in her 30s and 40s may not be decided by age alone, her blood type could also affect her fertility . Women with blood type O (most common type) in particular, had a lower egg count and poorer egg quality in their 30s than those with blood type A, says researchers at the Albeit Einsten college of medicine in Newyork.
But how significant are these findings? A woman’s blood group appears to influence the amount of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, which plays a vital role in maturation of eggs in the ovaries and in pregnancy). Studies show that very high level of FSH is a sign of low ovarian reserve i.e, the measure of how many eggs a woman has left in her ovaries. It can be depleted by smoking, ovarian cysts and endometriosis. Women in their mid 30s’ struggling to conceive were twice as likely to have raised FSH levels if they had blood group O, compared with A.
Also, IVF specialists believe that immune system can play a vital role in determining the success of egg implantation. women with type O blood are said to be least likely to have successful IVF treatment, because they often experience an inappropriate immune response.
If however a woman’s chances of conceiving really depends on her blood type, then a woman would have difficulty whether it was her first or second child, says Dr. Joyce Harper, Human genetics and Embryology, University College London. Really, blood type may not be an absolute indicator of a woman’s fertility, but it may be marker of a woman’s ovarian status, in case she is planning on late parenthood.
Interestingly, other health conditions have also been linked to blood types e.g;
Blood type A suffered worse hangover, increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease.
Blood type B are unable to produce antibodies to certain strains of bug, thus increasing risk of infection and serious illness.
Blood type O has lower risk of heart disease, because they tend to bleed more, there is reduced clot in their blood which may obstruct its flow.
Although these are not common knowledge, as there has been few research done on them, you may find it interesting to know that some of the people around already have or are at risk of the health conditions linked to their blood group. While it is not yet well established, have it at the back of your mind that delaying motherhood till after age 30 may not be advisable for women with blood type B.
