| Summary: | Background: <i>ANRIL</i> rs4977574 gene polymorphism has been associated with arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular disease development. <i>ANRIL</i> rs4977574 gene polymorphism could also be associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) since there is increasing evidence in favor of a potential shared pathophysiological mechanism with cardiovascular disease, potentially through arterial thrombosis. This study’s goal is to investigate the differences in <i>ANRIL</i> rs4977574 gene polymorphism between women with and without RPL, if any, as well as a potential association with the number of pregnancy losses. Methods: DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples, and the sequence containing the polymorphism of interest was amplified with PCR. Results were visualized under UV light following electrophoresis in 3% agarose gel with ethidium bromide. <i>ANRIL</i> rs4977574 (A>G) prevalence was compared between 56 women with and 69 without RPL. Results were adjusted for women’s age and BMI, while a stratified analysis was performed according to number of pregnancy losses. Results: Allele A was significantly more prevalent in the control group compared to RPL women [31 (44.9%) vs. 14 (25%), <i>p</i> = 0.021]. Although not reaching statistical significance, a gradually decreasing prevalence of allele A with an increasing number of pregnancy losses was observed [31 (44.9%) in control, eight (30.7%) with two, six (23.1%) with three, and 0 (0.0%) with four pregnancy losses, <i>p</i> = 0.078]. Results were also similar following adjustment. Conclusions: This is the first study that demonstrates an association between RPL presence and <i>ANRIL</i> rs4977574 gene polymorphism (lower prevalence of allele A), while a difference according to the number of pregnancy losses cannot be excluded.
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