Human study · Research · 7 Nov 2026
In genetic data from hundreds of thousands of women, a lower Lp(a) signal was not tied to worse pregnancy or fertility outcomes
Source: European Heart Journal Open
What the research found
European Heart Journal Open published a genetic study on 7 November 2026. Sile Hu, Marta Perez-Alcantara, and colleagues asked whether a genetically predicted low Lp(a) lines up with worse pregnancy, offspring, or fertility outcomes in women. They used Mendelian randomization, genetic risk scores, and gene tests in LPA, plus individual data from 236,228 UK Biobank women and 122,038 All of Us women for pregnancy and offspring outcomes, and from 102,549 All of Us women for infertility. Summary analyses did not show a significant adverse association. Hits that were nominal did not survive a multiple-testing correction. Confidence limits for the fertility and reproductive-count estimates included the null. Positive controls behaved as expected: higher Lp(a) lined up with LDL cholesterol (p = 2 x 10^-19) and with triglycerides (p = 4 x 10^-9). This is genetic evidence. It is not a trial of a treatment, and it is not proof of safety in pregnancy. DOI 10.1093/ehjopen/oeag194. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
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