Evaluation of Reproductive Hormone, Electrolytes and Serum Protein in Pregnant Women with Different Genotypes

Introduction: Genotype is an inward expression of gene or the combination of alleles, situated on corresponding chromosomes that determines a specific trait of an individual. Sickle Cell Disease is associated with higher clinical and obstetric complications compared to the general population.

Aim: This study sought to investigate how different genotypes might affect the levels of hormones, electrolytes and serum proteins in pregnancy.

Study Design: A case-Control Study.

Methodology: Participants were 120 pregnant women recruited from hospitals in Oyo State and Ekiti State. They were grouped into 40each according to their Genotypes: AA,AS and SS. Blood samples were collected and analytes quantified by standard laboratory methods. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan multiple range test were used to compare variables across the three groups.

Results: There was a significant reduction in the levels of Estrogen, and Prolactin in Sickle Cell group when compared to AA and AS group, while the levels of progesterone were not statistically different in the three groups. Also, there was a significant reduction in the levels of Na, K ,Total Protein and Albumin in Sickle Cell Group when compared to Group 1 and 2. However, the levels of Ca, Mg, Zn, Cl and Fe, C-reactive protein were not statistically different in the three groups.

Conclusion: Low levels of reproductive hormones, total protein and electrolytes imbalance are associated with pregnancy in Sickle Cell Disease.