Abstract
Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), which is defined as the presence of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and/or thyroglobulin (TG), is related to repeated implantation failure (RIF). It is reported that TAI was involved in reproductive failure not only through leading thyroid function abnormality, but it can also be accompanied with immune imbalance. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the association of thyroid function, immune status and TAI in women with RIF. Blood samples were drawn from 72 women with RIF to evaluate the prevalence of TAI, the thyroid function, the absolute numbers and percentages of lymphocytes. The prevalence of thyroid function abnormality in RIF women with TAI was not significantly different from that in RIF women without TAI (χ2 = 0.484, p > 0.05). The absolute number and percentage of T cells, T helper (Th) cells, B cells and natural killer (NK) cells were not significantly different in RIF women with TAI compared to those without TAI (all p > 0.05). The percentage of T cytotoxicity (Tc) cells was significantly decreased in RIF women with TAI compared to those without TAI (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, Th/Tc ratio was significantly increased (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the decreased Tc percentage and increased Th/Tc ratio may be another influential factor of adverse pregnancy outcomes in RIF women with TAI.
Highlights
Infertility is a common problem, which affects about 10% of the couples of child-bearing age [1,2]. assisted reproductive technology is an effective therapy for infertile couples, there are still approximately 10%–15% of the infertile couples failing to conceive after several in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) cycles
Women with Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), and 70.8% (51/72) were repeated implantation failure (RIF) women without TAI (TPO−TG−) in this study
Some studies reported that TAI affected reproductive outcomes through leading thyroid dysfunction [10], whereas some other studies demonstrated that TAI represented a marker for immune abnormality that was responsible for pregnancy loss [12,13]
Summary
Assisted reproductive technology is an effective therapy for infertile couples, there are still approximately 10%–15% of the infertile couples failing to conceive after several in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) cycles. These couples are defined as patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) [3,4]. Studies have shown that the etiology of RIF commonly includes genetic, hormonal, anatomic, infectious factors and thrombophilic conditions [3]. Accumulating data show that reproductive failure is a condition that can be related with several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis [1,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
