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Premature birth gene 'discovered' | Premature birth gene 'discovered' |
(3 days later) | |
A gene linked to premature births has been discovered, scientists in the US and Finland have said. | A gene linked to premature births has been discovered, scientists in the US and Finland have said. |
The researchers hope their study, href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1001365" >published in PLoS Genetics, could eventually lead to a test for women at risk of a pre-term birth. | |
In the UK, one in 10 babies is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, with potential problems for their health. | In the UK, one in 10 babies is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, with potential problems for their health. |
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it would help to identify a percentage of those at risk. | The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it would help to identify a percentage of those at risk. |
The international team of researchers looked to human evolution in their hunt for genes linked to premature births. | The international team of researchers looked to human evolution in their hunt for genes linked to premature births. |
In comparison to other primates and mammals, humans have relatively large heads and narrow birth canals. | In comparison to other primates and mammals, humans have relatively large heads and narrow birth canals. |
Acceleration | Acceleration |
The researchers, at Vanderbilt University, Washington University and the University of Helsinki, believed there must have been an evolutionary pressure to "adapt and shift the time of birth" to produce a smaller baby. | The researchers, at Vanderbilt University, Washington University and the University of Helsinki, believed there must have been an evolutionary pressure to "adapt and shift the time of birth" to produce a smaller baby. |
They looked for DNA which showed evidence of "accelerated evolution" - genes which have mutated more in humans than in other primates. | They looked for DNA which showed evidence of "accelerated evolution" - genes which have mutated more in humans than in other primates. |
They identified 150 genes. | They identified 150 genes. |
The next step was to look for an association with premature births, so the researchers compared those 150 genes in 328 Finnish mothers, some of whom had premature births. | The next step was to look for an association with premature births, so the researchers compared those 150 genes in 328 Finnish mothers, some of whom had premature births. |
A strong association to pre-term births was found in variants of the FSHR - or follicle stimulating hormone receptor - gene. | A strong association to pre-term births was found in variants of the FSHR - or follicle stimulating hormone receptor - gene. |
Follicle stimulating hormone acts on receptors in the ovaries to encourage follicle (a sphere of cells containing an egg) development and production of the hormone oestrogen. | Follicle stimulating hormone acts on receptors in the ovaries to encourage follicle (a sphere of cells containing an egg) development and production of the hormone oestrogen. |
'Greatest risk' | 'Greatest risk' |
Professor Louis Muglia, from the department of paediatrics at Vanderbilt University, said: "Ideally we'd like to predict which women are at greatest risk for having pre-term birth and be able to prevent it. That would really have an impact on infant mortality and the long-term complications of being born prematurely." | Professor Louis Muglia, from the department of paediatrics at Vanderbilt University, said: "Ideally we'd like to predict which women are at greatest risk for having pre-term birth and be able to prevent it. That would really have an impact on infant mortality and the long-term complications of being born prematurely." |
Professor Ronald Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "I think it's fantastic, it's a good group of well respected people doing this research." | Professor Ronald Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "I think it's fantastic, it's a good group of well respected people doing this research." |
He said the risk of premature birth was likely to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors. | He said the risk of premature birth was likely to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors. |
"In the future we will be able to identify a percentage of people at risk. It won't be the be all and end all, but it will contribute to our knowledge." | "In the future we will be able to identify a percentage of people at risk. It won't be the be all and end all, but it will contribute to our knowledge." |
In a separate study, a team at Washington State University believe they have identified why eggs are produced which result in miscarriage and birth defects. | In a separate study, a team at Washington State University believe they have identified why eggs are produced which result in miscarriage and birth defects. |
The research published in Current Biology examines the relationship between eggs and the correct number of chromosomes. | The research published in Current Biology examines the relationship between eggs and the correct number of chromosomes. |