Is there anything we can do to minimise the risk of miscarriage?

Miscarriages can occur throughout pregnancy; sometimes the reason is apparent but may also remain obscure. If you are concerned or curious about the risk of miscarriage we suggest that you click either of the buttons below to navigate to your health service's website. Further down, we present some of the latest findings from scientists about why it occurs and, more importantly how it might be prevented.

Both sites identify chromosomal problems as the primary cause of miscarriage, particularly in the first trimester. They also flag certain health conditions, infections, medications, age, ethnicity and alcohol, drug and tobacco use. Progenyx is formulated to underpin the one-carbon cycle, which helps ensure genes are transcribed correctly and that the eggs and sperm develop under optimal conditions, so we will focus on chromosomes and DNA.

Chromosomal issues can involve receiving too many or too few chromosomes which might prevent the foetus from developing normally. The foetus might inherit a defective copy of a particular gene from both parents, rendering them unable to flourish. These are chance events over which there is very little control.

A further chromosome-related possibility is the inappropriate activation or failure to activate certain genes at critical times. Genetics is the field of biology relating to our genes, DNA and chromosomes; epigenetics is how our behaviours and environment affect how our genes work. By regulating behaviour and controlling the environment can we influence epigenetics?

Recurrent miscarriage causation can be identified in just 50-60% of cases: the male contribution is rarely investigated

Firstly, psychological support is an essential element of all post-miscarriage treatment before investigating the cause. Usually, the focus centres on the mother and the foetus; examination of the father is frequently overlooked. If the cause is not immediately apparent, the couple will often assess various factors with their clinician. Obesity, alcohol, tobacco and moderate to heavy caffeine intake are associated with sporadic miscarriage and may contribute to recurrent miscarriages. Given the critical contribution of epigenetics to the formation and maturation of spermatozoa, eggs and embryos could inappropriate or absent gene expression help explain causation and lead us to possible solutions?

A miscarriage due to chromosomal issues is relatively simply assessed and may involve counting the chromosomes within a call sample. An incorrect number of chromosomes (aneuploidy) - commonly only one or three copies of a chromosome pair - are inherited instead of just one from each parent. A well-known example is Down's syndrome where the individual has 3 copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy); the genetic imbalance has a range of effects and severity from one person to the next. Other chromosomal imbalances are incompatible with a sustained pregnancy and are naturally aborted as a result. Less obvious causes may arise from interaction with the environment (epigenetics) where genes are inappropriately activated or remain unactivated. The effect could confer an advantage on the affected individual, it could be inconsequential or it may be deleterious.

The chromatin remodelling diagram demonstrates how compacted the genetic load is in the sperm. The process involves acetylation and insertion of transition proteins and histones to keep everything in place. The resultant structure is very dense and has a high mass-to-surface area ratio, thereby minimising the opportunities for free radicals to bind and disrupt the genetic payload.

The epigenetic modification level demonstrates how sperms develop and when epigenetic modifications occur. The marker for epigenetic adaptation can be measured by the rate of methylation which is how individual genes are activated. As sperm are 10,000 times smaller than eggs they have a limited capacity to protect or repair themselves. Errors at any stage in the maturation process may remain unchecked and alter the patency of the sperm.

At fertilisation, epigenetic alterations of the sperm and egg DNA are reset. The methyl markers that activate the genes are stripped away, although some evidence is emerging that some adaptations with the paternal DNA are passed on to the progeny.

The chromatin remodelling diagram demonstrates how compacted the genetic load is in the sperm. The process involves acetylation and insertion of transition proteins and histones to keep everything in place. The resultant structure is very dense and has a high mass-to-surface area ratio, thereby minimising the opportunities for free radicals to bind and disrupt the genetic payload.

The epigenetic modification level demonstrates how sperms develop and when epigenetic modifications occur. The marker for epigenetic adaptation can be measured by the rate of methylation which is how individual genes are activated. As sperm are 10,000 times smaller than eggs they have a limited capacity to protect or repair themselves. Errors at any stage in the maturation process may remain unchecked and alter the patency of the sperm.

At fertilisation, epigenetic alterations of the sperm and egg DNA are reset. The methyl markers that activate the genes are stripped away, although some evidence is emerging that some adaptations with the paternal DNA are passed on to the progeny.

Recurrent miscarriage causation can be identified in just 50-60% of cases: the male contribution is rarely investigated

Firstly, psychological support is an essential element of all post-miscarriage treatment before investigating the cause. Usually, the focus centres on the mother and the foetus; examination of the father is frequently overlooked. If the cause is not immediately apparent, the couple will often assess various factors with their clinician. Obesity, alcohol, tobacco and moderate to heavy caffeine intake are associated with sporadic miscarriage and may contribute to recurrent miscarriages. Given the critical contribution of epigenetics to the formation and maturation of spermatozoa, eggs and embryos could inappropriate or absent gene expression help explain causation and lead us to possible solutions?

A miscarriage due to chromosomal issues is relatively simply assessed and may involve counting the chromosomes within a call sample. An incorrect number of chromosomes (aneuploidy) - commonly only one or three copies of a chromosome pair - are inherited instead of just one from each parent. A well-known example is Down's syndrome where the individual has 3 copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy); the genetic imbalance has a range of effects and severity from one person to the next. Other chromosomal imbalances are incompatible with a sustained pregnancy and are naturally aborted as a result. Less obvious causes may arise from interaction with the environment (epigenetics) where genes are inappropriately activated or remain unactivated. The effect could confer an advantage on the affected individual, it could be inconsequential or it may be deleterious.

Progenyx provides the essential metabolites that drive the one-carbon cycle which neutralises intracellular oxidative threats and creates a positive nurturing environment for sperm, egg and the foetus