Phosphoglucomutase genetic polymorphism of newborns

An association of the phosphoglucomutase locus 1 (PGM1) genetic polymorphism with repeated spontaneous abortion (RSA), with intrauterine development in both normal and diabetic pregnancies, and with fertility has been reported in previous studies. In view of the evolutionary interest and of a possible clinical relevance of PGM1 selection during intrauterine life, this study considers healthy puerperae, consecutive newborns, and couples with RSA as well as two alleles (PGM1*1 and PGM1*2). The joint maternal–neonatal PGM1 distribution in a sample from an Italian rural population is significantly different from that expected assuming Hardy–Weinberg conditions for equilibrium. Deviation is dependent on maternal age and parity. The joint mother–newborn PGM1 genotype distribution is significantly associated with a positive history of previous spontaneous miscarriage, suggesting that the presence of the PGM1*2 allele in the father predisposes to spontaneous abortion. This hypothesis is also supported by the observation that in couples with RSA, the delivery of a live born infant within 5 years from the first episode of miscarriage is negatively associated with the presence of a PGM1*2 allele in the husband. Altogether these observations suggest the hypothesis of PGM1 maternal selection at the reproductive level involving a differential role of PGM1*1 and PGM1*2 alleles of paternal origin. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:9–14, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.