Problem: A decrease in factor XII (FXII) activity has been observed in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Because of the many similarities between recurrent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) failure and early pregnancy loss patients, we investigated whether women with recurrent IVF-ET failure had low FXII activity.
Method of study: Blood from 110 patients with three or more IVF-ET failures was tested for FXII activity, autoantibodies and other coagulation parameters. These patients were compared with 191 recurrent miscarriage patients, 87 controls. FXII activity was measured by an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay.
Results: Factor XII activity of the IVF-ET failure group (median 79.5, range 37-150) was significantly lower than that of control group (median 109, range 35-225, P < 0.001 by Mann-Whitney test) or that of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) group (median 92, range 20-205). The FXII activity of IVF-ET failure patients was positively correlated with age, but not associated with the number of IVF-ET failures, infertile duration, autoantibodies, or other coagulation parameters.
Conclusion: Decreased FXII activity may causally relate to reproductive failure.