Potential implications on female fertility and reproductive lifespan in BRCA germline mutation women

open access
First Online: 25 August 2016
 
Conclusions

BRCAm women should not delay pregnancy, especially if they are BRCA1, older than 35 years or with previous gonadotoxic treatments. Future prospective studies on infertility outcomes in this population are needed.

 

 Consequences of the germline mutation on cancer risk are widely known, but not the non-oncological implications [2]. Controversy exists about the impact of BRCA1/2 germline mutations (BRCA1/2m) on female fertility [3]. There is a current interest in identifying the possible association between BRCA germline mutation (BRCAm) and reproductive performance [1]. Recent research articles suggest that BRCAm, especially BRCA1, decreases ovarian reserve [4], increases fertility-related problems [1] and determines early menopause (also known as premature or occult primary ovarian failure) [5] (Fig. 1).....