title: Premature ovarian failure associated with autoantibodies to the zona pellucida.
abstract: Immune disturbances are noted in up to 35% of women with premature ovarian failure. Previous investigators have focused on the presence of antibodies directed against steroid secreting cells of the ovary and the presence of lymphocytic infiltration in ovarian biopsy specimens. The authors report two cases of premature ovarian failure associated with antibodies directed against the zona pellucida. One of these two patients conceived while on estrogen replacement therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies