title: Endometriosis in reproductive immunology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endometriosis is suggested to represent an autoimmune disorder, but what is the prevalence of autoantibodies to antigens relevant to reproduction?
  
  
  METHODS
  The humoral immune response to the women with endometriosis (stage I-II: 261 women; stage III-IV: 62 women) in serum and in peritoneal fluid was investigated compared with 101 healthy women. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used in all the women for the detection of seven antiphospholipid antibodies [antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) against cardiolipin, L-phosphatidyl (ph)-serine, ph-glycerol, ph-inositol, ph-ethanolamine, phosphatidic (ph)-acid and against beta2-glycoprotein I] of class IgG, IgA, and IgM. A passive haemmagglutination method and ELISA (BioGen) was used for assessment of antizona pellucida antibodies (aZP), tray agglutination test (TAT) and indirect mixed anti-imunoglobulin reaction test (MAR-test) for the determination of sperm antibody levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endometriosis I-II were associated with higher serum and peritoneal fluid levels of aPLs against inositol, cardiolipin, ethanolamine, and beta2-glycoprotein I. Forty percent of patients were positive for aZPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with lesions of endometriosis stage I-II had more autoantibodies than those with stage III-IV, and may be immunologically more active. This result may be significant for future treatments such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic. ulcova@fnplzen.cz
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ulcová-Gallová
authors.forename: Vladimír
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bouse
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Svábek
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turek
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rokyta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007518:Isoantibodies