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The elongation factor Tu GTP-binding domain-containing 2 gene (EFTUD2) participates in antiviral immune responses. However, the association between genetic polymorphisms of EFTUD2 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection susceptibility has not been well-studied. We analyzed the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EFTUD2 and HBV infection susceptibility and clarified the potential function. In total, 448 control subjects and 379 patients with chronic HBV infection from Zhangjiagang First People's Hospital (Jiangsu, China) were enrolled. Sequenom iPLEX assay was used to detect genotypes of four SNPs (rs1071682, rs2277617, rs2289674, and rs3809756). Dual-luciferase reporter vectors with wild-type A and mutant-type C alleles of EFTUD2 rs3809756 were transfected into HepG2 cells to explore effects on transcription activity. Only rs3809756 was significantly associated with HBV infection susceptibility (P <.05). The risk of HBV infection was higher in individuals carrying the rs3809756-CC genotype than in those carrying the rs3809756-AA genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 1.945, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.129–3.351, P =.017). Subgroup analysis based on the dominant model revealed that rs3809756-AC and rs3809756-CC carriers had a significantly higher risk of HBV infection than rs3809756-AA carriers among patients who were male (OR = 1.732, 95% CI = 1.218–2.464, P =.002), were aged ≥47 years (OR = 1.502, 95% CI = 1.050–2.148, P =.026), or without liver cirrhosis (OR = 1.407, 95% CI = 1.077–1.838, P =.012). In the dual-luciferase reporter assay, the relative luciferase activity of rs3809756-C was significantly lower than that of rs3809756-A (P <.05). EFTUD2 rs3809756A>C was associated with HBV infection susceptibility and might be involved in the downregulation of promoter activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusion Adverse intrauterine environment was believed to have deleterious effects on the gonadal function. However, the association between impaired intrauterine growth and fertility in adult males has not been established.To compare the reproductive rates of males born small for gestational age (SGA), with low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) with control groups.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed to search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from inception to June 16, 2023. Cohort studies investigating the reproductive rates of males born SGA, with LBW or VLBW were included. A random or fixed effects model was used for different exposures.A total of 10 studies out of 3,801 records were included. Males born SGA showed a higher risk of infertility than the control group (odds ratio, OR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.89–0.93, p = 0.000). The reproductive rates of individuals born with LBW or VLBW were lower than the control group (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.94, p = 0.001; OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.40–0.81, p = 0.002, respectively). Participants were further divided into two age groups of 18–35 and 35–45 years. In both subgroups, the reproductive rates were lower in males born SGA, with LBW or VLBW compared with controls. Sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the pooled estimates among LBW and VLBW.In summary, SGA, LBW, and VLBW were associated with a higher risk of male infertility in both early and middle adulthood. Achieving optimal intrauterine growth would be helpful to prevent male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]