Is ADH1B useful for fertility?

The question of whether ADH1B is useful for fertility cannot be answered conclusively with the available data. ADH1B encodes an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism. Certain variants (e.g., rs1229984) lead to slower or faster ethanol processing. Some studies suggest these variants may indirectly influence fertility through alcohol consumption—for example, by altering estrogen or testosterone levels or affecting sperm quality. However, the evidence is largely mechanistic and based on association studies with small effect sizes. There are no randomized controlled trials demonstrating a direct benefit of ADH1B testing for fertility counseling. MyBody-X does not offer a specific ADH1B test, and the clinical validity of such analyses is unclear. For improving fertility, focus on established factors: moderate or no alcohol intake, balanced diet, healthy weight, and avoiding smoking. A genetic test is not a substitute for medical evaluation.