IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against FSH: serological markers of pathogenic autoimmunity or of normal immunoregulation?
OBJECTIVE
Autoimmune mechanisms are often involved in causing infertility. Among the possible targets of autoantibodies, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which regulates the follicular maturation in human ovary is a promising candidate. We aimed to study whether anti-FSH-antibodies might be involved in different clinical types of infertility.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 178 patients (75 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 103 with endometriosis) and 75 pregnant women. Female blood donors formed the control group (n = 85). Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests were performed using purified FSH as antigens and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 78-93 region (V14D) of the human FSH beta-chain.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed that anti-FSH-antibodies were present in controls and their production decreased during pregnancy. Endometriosis and PCOS were associated with higher values of anti-FSH-immunoglobulin (Ig)A, anti-V14D-IgA, and endometriosis with anti-V14D-IgG. Our data suggest that anti-FSH-IgA could be a marker of ovarian disorders that cause infertility.
Haller
Kadri
K
Department of Immunology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology and Centre of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia.
Mathieu
Christine
C
Rull
Kristiina
K
Matt
Kadri
K
Béné
Marie C
MC
Uibo
Raivo
R
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit