Quality of embryo does not affect the implantation rate of IVF-ET in infertile women with antisperm antibody.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether low quality score of embryos and advanced maternal age affect the implantation rate in infertile women with sperm-immobilizing antibody.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
The IVF Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tokushima University Hospital.


METHODS
Four infertile groups were studied: 20 women with sperm-immobilizing antibodies; 169 with tubal; 129 with male factor; and 72 with unexplained etiology.


METHODS
All women were hyperstimulated with GnRH analogue and scheduled ovarian stimulation with FSH and hMG for oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Relationship of quality of transferred embryos, implantation rate and maternal age among four groups of infertile couples.


RESULTS
In the antisperm group, the fertilization rate (57.6%) and mean (+/- SD) score of transferred embryos (5.4+/-1.9) were significantly lower than those in the tubal group (72.4% and 6.2+/-1.9, respectively). However, the implantation rate in the antisperm group (23.6%) was significantly higher than those in other three groups (tubal, 8.6%; male factor, 9.5%; unexplained, 7.6%). With advancing maternal age, the implantation rate decreased in the three comparative groups. In contrast, the implantation rate in the antisperm group did not decrease with advancing maternal age.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with antisperm antibodies have several disadvantages to overcome in order to achieve successful IVF-ET, such as a low fertilization rate and poor quality of transferred embryos. However, a high implantation rate was observed in this group, even in women at advanced age. The occurrence of a cellular or humoral immune reaction against sperm may augment the uterine receptivity for the implantation of fertilized ova or blastocyst.
Nakagawa
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Yamano
S
S
Kamada
M
M
Hinokio
K
K
Maegawa
M
M
Aono
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*