Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a common reproductive clinical condition treated by
fertility specialists at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. Several factors affect embryo implantation
including the age of the female, the quality of embryos and the sperm, genetics, immunologic
factors. Here, we investigated the association of Argonaute 1 (AGO1) and Argonaute
2 (AGO2) polymorphisms and RIF. We collected blood samples from 167 patients
with RIF and 211 controls. Genetic polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) – restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and real-time PCR. We
found that the AGO2 rs4961280C>A polymorphism (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.984;
P = 0.023) was significantly associated with RIF. Furthermore, in RIF patients with three
or more consecutive implantation failure, the AGO2 rs4961280C>A CA genotype (AOR =
2.133; P = 0.013) and dominant model (AOR = 2.272; P = 0.006) were both significantly
associated with prevalence of RIF. An analysis of variance revealed that patients with the
AGO2 rs2292779C>G genotypes (CC: 6.52 +−
2.55; CG: 7.46 +−
3.02; GG: 8.42 +−
2.74; P
= 0.044) and the dominant model (CC: 6.52 +−
2.55; CG+GG: 7.70 +−
2.97; P = 0.029) exhibited
significantly increased white blood cell levels. Furthermore, patients with the AGO1
rs595961G>A dominant model (GG: 36.81 +−
8.69; GA+AA: 31.58 +−
9.17; P = 0.006) and
the AGO2 rs4961280C>A recessive model (CC+CA: 35.42 +−
8.77; AA: 22.00 +−
4.24; P =
0.035) exhibited a significantly decreased number of CD4+ helper T cells. Our study showed
that AGO1 and AGO2 polymorphisms are associated with the prevalence of RIF. Hence,
the results suggest that variations in AGO1 and AGO2 genotypes may be useful clinical
biomarkers for the development and prognosis of RIF.