Absence of autoantibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin in women with a history of habitual abortion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if immunization to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has occurred in women with habitual abortion.


METHODS
Comparisons between nonpregnant patients with a history of at least three consecutive miscarriages (n = 48) and normal controls (n = 38). In addition, 28 habitual aborters were compared, while pregnant, with 37 pregnant control women. Antibodies to hCG were assessed by a solid-phase immunometric assay using europium-labeled antihuman immunoglobulin (Ig)G as tracer; this method is capable of detecting antibodies toward hCG in serum of patients immunized with beta-hCG-tetanus toxoid conjugate.


METHODS
Departments I and II of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.


RESULTS
Three patients (1 primary and 2 secondary aborters, 1 both while pregnant and not pregnant) showed evidence of Ig binding to hCG, but the binding was not inhibited by an excess of hCG.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibodies against endogenous hCG may not be responsible for habitual abortion.
Tulppala
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Finland.
Alfthan
H
H
Stenman
U H
UH
Ylikorkala
O
O
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000276:immunology*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid