Fraction of the peripheral blood concentration of CD56+/CD16-/CD3- cells in total natural killer cells as an indication of fertility and infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the peripheral blood concentration of CD56(+)/CD16(-)/CD3(-) cells, the main natural killer (NK) subpopulation that colonizes the endometrium in the middle and late secretory phase, can be related to fertility or infertility status.


METHODS
A case control study.


METHODS
Immunopathology department of an infertility laboratory.


METHODS
A total 99 women were selected (group I: consecutive spontaneous aborters, n = 25; group II: sporadic spontaneous aborters, n = 30; group III: infertile, n = 33; group IV: controls, n = 11).


METHODS
Immunophenotyping of women grouped according to their fertility status.


METHODS
Peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined by two- and three-color flow cytometry.


RESULTS
A statistically significant association between endometrial-type peripheral blood (PB) NK cell concentrations and fertility status (groups I and IV vs. groups II and III) was documented. The %(/TOTAL PB)(CD56+CD16-CD3-) NK cells was significantly higher [1] in fertile (groups I and IV) than in sporadic aborters/infertile (groups II and III) women, [2] in group I when compared with groups II and III, and [3] in group IV when compared with groups II and III.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that diminished numbers of the %(/TOTAL PB)(CD56+CD16-CD3-) NK cells are related to sporadic aborters and infertile women. Thus, the fraction could be used as an indicator of subsequent successful implantation and maintenance of gestation.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000097:blood; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D016014:Linear Models; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000097:blood
D015703:Antigens, CD; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D017452:Receptors, IgG