MUC4 Gene Expression in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

Abstract: Recurrent miscarriage is considered a complex reproductive issue affecting many couples; it is influenced by socioeconomic, environmental, and genetic factors. This study investigates the statistical associations between miscarriage frequency and key variables, including age, BMI, economic status, and health conditions, beside, the expression profiles of the MUC4 gene in 50 Iraqi women who have faced recurrent miscarriage attending Al-Yarmouk Hospital, compared with forty fertile women as a control group. The results analysis indicated that the average number of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) was 2.94 (±1.12), the mean of Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.7 (±4.8) with a significant association between BMI and miscarriage frequency (p = 0.045), while the age did not significantly associate (p = 0.078). The results of current study revealed that hypertension and diabetes contribute to increased RPL risk in Iraqi women with (OR = 1.85, CI 1.45-2.25) and diabetes (OR = 1.73, CI: 1.50-2.20).  Gene expression analysis revealed increased MUC4 gene expression in some infertile Iraqi individuals, suggesting a possible link for RPL and underlining its role in immune modulation. These results underscore BMI as an important factor in recurrent miscarriage; targeted interventions are necessary to enhance outcomes of maternal health, and suggest that MUC4 gene expression may be valuable as a molecular biomarker for the prediction of women at higher risk with infertility.