title: [Tissue bound autoantibodies in genital organs of infertile couples].
abstract: Autoimmunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of infertility. To explore this possibility biopsy specimens of ovaries, endometrium and tests from infertile couples were examined immunohistologically. Cryostat cut sections of biopsies were treated with fluorescein-conjugated antibodies to demonstrate tissue-bound IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, C3, C4 and fibrinogen. Tissue-bound antibodies, complement or fibrinogen could be detected in 8 (13,3%) of 60 ovarian, 14 (16,3%) of 86 cervical, 18 (19,6%) of 92 corporal and 12 (14,1%) of 85 testicular biopsies. Moreover 20 (23,5%) specimens of the testicular biopsies showed fibrinogen fluorescence only.--The results suggest that autoantibodies against different genital organ antigens may be implicated in the pathogenesis of some cases of infertility.
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003165:Complement System Proteins
vernacular_title: Gewebsgebundene Autoantikörper in den Genitalorganen steriler Ehepaare.