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Original Article:
Courtney W. Hanna, Karla L. Bretherick, Jane L. Gair, Margo R. Fluker, Mary D. Stephenson, and Wendy P. Robinson
Telomere length and reproductive aging
Hum. Reprod. 2009; 0: dep007v1-6 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF ]
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Electronic letters published:

[Read eLetter] The Common Factor may be Low DHEA.
James M. Howard   (20 May 2009)

The Common Factor may be Low DHEA. 20 May 2009
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James M. Howard,
Biologist
independent

Send letter to journal:
Re: The Common Factor may be Low DHEA.

jmhoward{at}anthropogeny.com James M. Howard

It is my hypothesis that levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) control telomere length (http://anthropogeny.com/Telomeres.htm). As we age, DHEA declines and telomere length is reduced.

It has been determined that "dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) concentrations were significantly higher in the unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss group [of women]" (Gynecol Endocrinol. 2003 Aug;17(4):317-21). DHEAS is the precursor of DHEA, the active molecule. Therefore, I suggest that significantly high DHEAS indicates that available DHEA is low.

I suggest the common factor of short telomere length and recurrent miscarriage is low DHEA.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared