Clinical significance of naturally occurring anti-zona pellucida antibodies in infertile women.
Although implicated in the etiology of unexplained infertility, a primary role for antibodies to zona pellucida antigens remains uncertain. We therefore prospectively studied 21 infertility patients found to have significant anti-zona pellucida antibody titers (1:4 to 1:16). When treated for endometriosis or other concurrent fertility problems, 7 of the 21 (33%) delivered viable infants. Two other patients conceived without treatment. Decreases in anti-zona antibody titers were found in most but not all women with successful outcomes. In a given individual, anti-zona antibodies may coexist with other fertility disorders. Therefore, these antibodies should not preclude treatment of concurrent fertility disorders.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center, Knoxville 37920.
M R
MR
Caudle
C A
CA
Shivers
R A
RA
Wild
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies