Struggling to conceive? It could be your blood type
More than 560 women with an average age of 35 undergoing fertility treatments took part in the latest research, led by experts from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and Yale University.
The study found that those with blood type O may struggle to conceive due to a lower egg count and poorer egg quality. Women with blood group A, however, seem to be better protected against falling egg counts.
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. Almost half the population – 44 per cent – have blood type O.
The findings from the study could mean experts look more closely at blood group when charting a woman's fertility. Experts have said that the breakthrough could lead to women basing their decision on whether to pursue a career or start a family on their blood type.
However it is important to remember that many ‘type O’ women have successfully had children and that there are dozens of other factors affecting fertility such as age, body weight and alcohol consumption.
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Mothercare
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