Could there really be a switch that turns fertility on and off in women’s bodies? The answer is “maybe” according to an Imperial College London study that linked a protein to infertility.
The study, which appeared in the journal Nature Medical Sunday, found that SGK1 at extreme levels seems to negatively affect female fertility. Women with low SGK1 are at higher risk of having a miscarriage, whereas women with high levels of SGK1 are more likely to be infertile.
This protein enzyme may provide a way for fertility specialists and scientific researchers to be able to essentially turn some women’s fertility “on” if it’s been “off” due to very low or high SGK1.
The study’s leaders are suggesting that perhaps blocking SGK1 altogether could help some women who are having fertility issues. Alternatively, for couples who wish to have no children, SGK1 could even be considered for a different contraception method than, say, the pill or IUD.
While only time will tell how far this finding will go, it’s promising for many reasons, including the hope that fertility specialists will have more options to provide women and their partners who are trying to have a baby.
If you’ve had fertility concerns, we invite you to contact the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) for an initial consultation.