4.3.4 Reproductive traits and medical abortion
Previous studies have provided robust genetic evidence of risk associations between sexual intercourse at an early age[32], having more sexual partners, and a higher risk of major depressive disorder[33]. Intriguingly, studies have found that increased genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia affects increased numbers of sexual partners, suggesting that schizophrenia susceptibility increases mating success in the wider population and may reflect potential reproductive success[34, 35]. Hence, reproductive traits factors may play a non-negligible role in induced abortion. We found that AFS, AFB, LNSP were causally associated with MA, and that LNSP were associated with MA independently of EA and HI, furthermore AFB mediated in education to reduce MA.
Conclusions
Our findings provided strong genetic evidence for a reverse causation of HI, EA, AFS, and AFB with MA, as well as a positive causation of SB and LNSP with MA. AFB played a mediating role in the causal link between EA and MA. These results may provide a strong guiding value for strengthening public health services and safeguarding women’s reproductive health.