Incipient ovarian failure and premature ovarian failure show the same immunological profile.
OBJECTIVE
Incipient ovarian failure (IOF) is characterized by regular menstrual cycles, infertility and a raised early-follicular FSH in women under 40. IOF might be a precursor or a mitigated form of premature ovarian failure (POF). Disturbances in the immune system may play a role in ovarian failure.


METHODS
Autoantibodies and lymphocyte subsets were determined in 63 POF patients, 50 IOF patients, and 27 controls.


RESULTS
The prevalence of autoantibodies did not differ between the groups. There was a statistically significant difference in lymphocyte subsets between the control group and the POF group, with the IOF group taking an intermediate position. We found a decrease in percentage of T-suppressor cells with a rise in T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratio, a decrease in natural killer cells, and an increase in B lymphocytes and HLA-DR positive T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the concept that IOF is a mitigated form of POF. The question remains whether these changes are the cause or the consequence of the ovarian failure.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Center Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
Y M
YM
van Kasteren
M
M
von Blomberg
A
A
Hoek
C
C
de Koning
N
N
Lambalk
J
J
van Montfrans
J
J
Kuik
J
J
Schoemaker
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies