What role does COMT play in Fruchtbarkeit?

COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) is an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline) and estrogens. Genetic variants like Val158Met (rs4680) affect enzyme activity. The low-activity Met/Met genotype may lead to higher estrogen levels, which could theoretically influence fertility – e.g., via menstrual cycle regulation or implantation. However, evidence is mixed: some studies link COMT variants to endometriosis or early menopause, others find no association. Environmental factors, hormonal status, and other genes play a larger role. Currently, there is no clinical recommendation to use COMT testing for fertility assessment. The evidence is mostly mechanistic or from small studies. A DNA test alone cannot predict fertility. For fertility concerns, clinical hormone tests (estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH) and comprehensive evaluation are more appropriate.