[What do we really know about autoantibody abnormalities and reproductive infertility? A critical review].
The diagnosis and treatment of autoantibody-associated forms of reproductive failure is critically reviewed.


OBJECTIVE
To critically evaluate the published literature in reference to autoantibody-associated forms of reproductive failure.


METHODS
Medical School-affiliated private Infertility Center.


METHODS
A review of over 200 published reflecting on the topic.


RESULTS
Autoantibody associated reproductive failure, characterized by a decrease in fecundity and an increase in the risk of pregnancy loss, appears established. Autoantibody abnormalities, as routinely detected by standard laboratory assays, are, however, neither immunologically nor biologically specific since cross reactivities between autoantibodies are frequent and a specific autoantibody may cause a biological effect in one but not in another affected individual.


CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of autoantibody abnormalities in all cases of suspected autoimmune-associated reproductive failure is valuable and will improve clinical care of affected patients. Clinicians need, however, to recognize the limitations of autoantibody testing and have to adjust their clinical management to the degree and quality of autoantibody evaluation available to them in their community.
Gleicher
N
N
Centre de reproduction humaine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, Ecole de médecine de Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Pratt
D
D
Dudkiewicz
A
A
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
Que savons-nous vraiment des anomalies des auto-anticorps et de la maladie reproductive? Une revue critique.