Surgically obtained sperm, and risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
The cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown, although a partner-specific immune maladaptation might be involved. We compared rates of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension in women whose genital tracts had and had not been exposed to their partner's sperm cells. Our aim was to ascertain whether or not protective partner-specific immune-tolerance is conveyed by sperm cells, rather than seminal fluid. Our findings indicate that, compared with women exposed to their partner's sperm cells and seminal fluid--ie, those treated with in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm--the risk of hypertension was doubled and the risk of pre-eclampsia tripled in those never exposed to their partner's sperm--ie, those treated with ICSI done with surgically obtained sperm.
Wang
Jim X
JX
Knottnerus
Anne-Margreet
AM
Schuit
Giny
G
Norman
Robert J
RJ
Chan
Annabelle
A
Dekker
Gus A
GA
D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*