26th October, 2010
Scientists have discovered for the first time that a woman’s blood group could influence her chances of getting pregnant.
Those with blood type O may struggle to conceive due to a lower egg count and poorer egg quality, according to a new study. Women with blood group A, however, seem to be better protected against falling egg counts.
The finding could mean experts look more closely at blood group when charting a woman’s fertility.
More than 560 women with an average age of 35 undergoing fertility treatment took part in the latest research, led by experts from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and Yale University.
Blood samples were taken to measure levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a well-known marker of fertility.
FSH levels greater than 10 suggest a woman will have more difficulty conceiving than those whose levels are under 10.
A high FSH level indicates a diminished ovarian reserve, which refers to both egg quality and the number of eggs left available for fertilisation.
Ovarian reserve tends to decline significantly as a woman reaches her middle and late 30s and faster in the early 40s.
The study found that women who were blood type O were twice as likely to have an FSH level greater than 10 as those in any other blood group.
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