Determinants of immunological responsiveness in recurrent spontaneous abortion.
A defined group of 20 women suffering recurrent spontaneous abortions of unknown etiology was studied for determinants relevant to immune responsiveness. A low prevalence of serum anti-CMV antibodies (35%; cf, 65% in controls)--but not anti-herpes-simplex-virus or Epstein-Barr virus antibodies--was noted. Only two (10%) of these women had lymphocytotoxic antibodies following their repeated pregnancies; low titer anti-sperm antibody was present in two other of these women. Whereas there was no significantly increased sharing of HLA-A or -B antigens within these couples compared with controls, there was an increased incidence of apparent HLA-B antigen homozygosity in the women. These data indicate a degree of immunological nonresponsiveness both to cytomegalovirus and to cell-surface alloantigens in habitually aborting women and, together with MLC data, provide further evidence that immunogenetic events may be relevant to reproductive success.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology*; D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000032:analysis; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies