Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation changes the prevalence of serum autoantibodies in in vitro fertilization patients.
OBJECTIVE
Autoimmune mechanisms are involved in etiology of female infertility, the medical problem frequently treated by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with supraphysiological levels of sex hormones is achieved by IVF.


METHODS
Anti-human-ovary and eight common autoantibodies [nuclear (ANA-H, ANA-R on human HEp-2 cell line and rodent antigen, respectively), smooth muscle (SMA), parietal cell, thyroid microsomal, mitochondrial, beta2-glycoprotein-I, cardiolipin antibodies] found in IVF patients (n = 129) were analyzed with regard to the number of previous IVF procedures and the age of the patient. The changes in autoimmune reactions caused by the COH were determined.


RESULTS
Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome were associated with a higher number of common serum autoantibodies compared with the tubal factor infertility (Proportion test, P < 0.05). ANA-R was associated with unexplained infertility [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 8.79, P = 0.038]. SMA correlated with endometriosis (aOR 37.29, P = 0.008), male factor infertility (aOR 20.45, P = 0.018) and with the previous IVF procedures (aOR 2.87, P = 0.013). There was an overall decrease in the number of detectible autoantibodies after COH (Proportion test, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
COH may have a suppressive effect on the humoral immunity by the time of embryo transfer but more conclusive studies are needed.
Haller
Kadri
K
Department of Immunology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology, Centre of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Sarapik
Aili
A
Talja
Ija
I
Salumets
Andres
A
Uibo
Raivo
R
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006728:Hormones