Spousal associations of serum metabolomic profiles by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Al Rashid, K., Goulding, N., Taylor, A., Lumsden, M. A. , Lawlor, D. A. and Nelson, S. M. (2021) Spousal associations of serum metabolomic profiles by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Scientific Reports, 11, 21587. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00531-z) (PMCID:PMC8566506)

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Abstract

Phenotype-based assortative mating is well established in humans, with the potential for further convergence through a shared environment. To assess the correlation within infertile couples of physical, social, and behavioural characteristics and 155 circulating metabolic measures. Cross sectional study at a tertiary medical center of 326 couples undertaking IVF. Serum lipids, lipoprotein subclasses, and low-molecular weight metabolites as quantified by NMR spectroscopy (155 metabolic measures). Multivariable and quantile regression correlations within couples of metabolite profiles. Couples exhibited statistical correlations of varying strength for most physical, social, and behavioural characteristics including age, height, alcohol consumption, education, smoking status, physical activity, family history and ethnicity, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.22 to 0.73. There was no evidence of within couple associations for BMI and weight, where the correlation coefficients were − 0.03 (95% CI − 0.14, 0.08) and 0.01 (95% CI − 0.10, 0.12), respectively. Within spousal associations of the metabolite measurements were all positive but with weak to modest magnitudes, with the median correlation coefficient across all 155 measures being 0.12 (range 0.01–0.37 and interquartile range 0.10–0.18). With just four having associations stronger than 0.3: docosahexaenoic acid (0.37, 95% CI 0.22, 0.52), omega-3 fatty acids (0.32, 95% CI 0.20, 0.43) histidine (0.32, 95% CI 0.23, 0.41) and pyruvate (0.32, 95% CI 0.22, 0.43). Infertile couples exhibit spousal similarities for a range of demographic and serum metabolite measures, supporting initial assortative mating, with diet-derived metabolites suggesting possible subsequent convergence of their individual metabolic profile.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by a Kuwait Government Fellowship to KA, the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol (AT, DAL, and SMN), a European Research Council grant (DevelopObese; 669545 to DAL), a British Heart Foundation Grant (AA/18/7/34219 to DAL) and a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator award (NF-0616-10102 to DAL). AT, NG and DAL work in a Unit that receives support from the University of Bristol and the MRC (MC_UU_00011/6).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nelson, Professor Scott and Alrashid, Karema and Lumsden, Professor Mary
Authors: Al Rashid, K., Goulding, N., Taylor, A., Lumsden, M. A., Lawlor, D. A., and Nelson, S. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 11: 21587
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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