Antibodies In Infertile Women Research Articles

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

To compare the rate of positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Ab) between women with different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes and women without PCOS. This is a retrospective cohort study. Women with PCOS at My Duc Hospital between June 1, 2020, and March 27, 2021, were matched with non-PCOS women by age. TPO Ab (cut-off: 34IU/mL) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured as markers of Hashimoto thyroiditis and thyroid function, respectively. One thousand eight hundred eight infertile women were included, 904 with PCOS (mean age 29.0 ± 3.58years) and 904 without PCOS (29.1 ± 3.4years; controls). Women with PCOS had a higher body mass index (22.8 ± 3.84 vs. 19.9 ± 2.23kg/m2, p < 0.001), but most were not overweight/obese. Rates of positive TPO Ab in women with versus without PCOS were 8.2% and 8.4%, respectively (p = 0.932). Rates of positive TPO Ab in patients with PCOS phenotype A, B, C, or D were not statistically different (7.5%, 2.9%, 20.0%, and 7.8%, respectively). Median TSH concentrations were similar in the PCOS and control groups (1.84 mIU/L vs. 1.78 mIU/L, respectively; p = 0.194). Based on a linear regression model, there was no correlation between either BMI or the estradiol to progesterone ratio and TPO Ab status. In a large population of infertile women with PCOS who were mostly lean patients, rates of positive TPO Ab across all four PCOS phenotypes did not differ significantly from those in women without PCOS. These findings did not support the hypothesis that PCOS is a risk factor for Hashimoto thyroiditis.

O8-2 - Detection of Sperm Antigens Corresponding to Sperm-Immobilizing Antibodies in Infertile Women

O8-2 - Detection of Sperm Antigens Corresponding to Sperm-Immobilizing Antibodies in Infertile Women

Correlation of chlamydiatrachomatis infection with tubalblockage among infertile women attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis is a common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infection worldwide which is associated with significant morbidity and has a great impact on human reproduction and fertility. Infertility is a major health problem in Nigeria with a prevalence of between 20, -40% compared with global prevalence of 15%.Objective: To correlate genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection with tubal blockage among infertile women and to compare with women attending family planning clinic in AKTH.Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional prospective study that was carried out among 142 women with tubal infertility attending the gynaecological clinic and 142 fertile women from family planning clinic of AKTH. Endocervical swab and blood samples were collected and tested using Eugene Chlamydial Rapid test Device and ELISA IgG Chlamydia antibody kits following manufacturer’s instruction.Results: The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies in infertile women was 63(44.4%) while among the family planning women is 40(28.2%) and that of the Chlamydia trachomatis antigen is 21(14.8%) in the infertile women and 7( 4.9%) in the control group. These differences were found to be statistically significant when compared (X2=8.059, P&lt;0.05, X2=7.766, P&lt;0.05). The prevalence of the Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies was highest (33.0%) among age group 25-29years; while that of the antigen was highest (39.2%) among age group 30-34 years of the study population.Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection was higher among women with infertility. There is need for routine screening of Chlamydia trachomatis in sexual transmitted infection clinics to prevent infertility.

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Anti-thyroid Antibodies in Infertile Women

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Anti-thyroid Antibodies in Infertile Women

English

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) on the outcome of the in vitro ferlitization (IVF) cycles and to determine the prevalence of these antibodies in infertile women seeking IVF in Jamaica. A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine if screening patients for aCL and LA had any significant impact on the outcome of the IVF process. Each patients hospital record, between March 2000 and March 2010, was collected and the relevant data extracted. The prevalence of aCL in this cohort of Jamaican women was moderate/high positive 3.88%, low positive 0.68% and those with negative aCL results 95.4%. The prevalence of women who were LA positive was 4.1% and 0.9% of the women were positive for both LA and aCL. Of the patients who were LA and/or aCL positive, eight out of 30 patients (26.7%) had a positive pregnancy test in comparison to 61 out of 181 patients (33.7%) who were LA and/or aCL negative (p = 0.5787). The prevalence of positive aCL and/or LA in infertile women seeking IVF in Jamaica is 7.76%. The presence of these antibodies did not affect the pregnancy rate of these women nor did it demonstrate an increased risk for IVF cycle cancellation or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Screening women undergoing IVF for these antibodies is not justified.

Frequency of Anti-Mycoplasma hominis Antibodies in Infertile Women Referred to Al-Zahra Hospital in Tabriz, Iran

Frequency of Anti-Mycoplasma hominis Antibodies in Infertile Women Referred to Al-Zahra Hospital in Tabriz, Iran

Frequency of anti-Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in infertile women referred to Al-Zahra hospital in Tabriz

Infertility is one of the major issues in society and its incidence is estimated to be almost 10-15%. Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an important cause of sexually transmitted diseases leading to infertility. This study was designed to determine the frequency of anti-C. trachomatis antibodies in infertile women at Al-zahra hospital, Tabriz, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the blood samples were collected randomly from 184 infertile women (case group) and 100 pregnant women (control group). The frequency of specific IgG and IgM anti-C. trachomatis antibodies were evaluated using ELISA method. The frequency of IgG anti-C. trachomatis antibody in the control and case groups was 18% and 35.88%, respectively. IgM anti-C. trachomatis antibody was found in 2% of controls and 5.44% of infertile women. Our results showed the significant differences between the case and control groups in anti-C. trachomatis antibodies (IgG, p=0.035 and IgM, p=0.004). Also, no significant relation was seen between the frequency of anti-C. trachomatis antibodies and age, location, and tubal factor infertility in our two study groups. According to high frequency of antibody anti-C. trachomatis among infertile women in competition to the control group, evaluation and treatment of Chlamydia infections is necessary in these patients.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infertile and pregnant women in southern Brazil

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection, affecting mainly young, sexually active women. Untreated infection may lead to reproductive complications due to tubal damage. Infections during pregnancy may cause preterm labor, low birth weight, perinatal death, and neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia. There are few data on CT infection in Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine CT prevalence in infertile and pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 77 infertile and 60 asymptomatic pregnant women. First-void urine was tested for CT using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Blood samples were collected for CT IgG antibodies testing using indirect immunofluorescence. A questionnaire about medical, gynecological, and sexual history was completed by all participants. Results: We found statistically similar prevalence of PCR and IgG antibodies between the groups. There was a 61% prevalence of CT IgG antibodies in infertile women and 56.7% in pregnant women. PCR was positive in only one (1.3%) infertile woman and in none pregnant women. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of CT IgG antibody in Brazilian pregnant and infertile women, but we found a low prevalence of positive PCR in the urine samples. CT antibodies were associated with sexual behavior and smoking. Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis , Chlamydia infections, prevalence, nucleic acid amplification techniques; infertility, female; fluorescent antibody technique

Association between the Presence of Serumanti-Cardiolipin Antibodies and Infertility

Background: Infertility is a common problem affecting 15% - 20% of couples. The increased incidence of anticardiolipin (ACL) antibodies in infertile women supports the contention that these autoantibodies contribute to the infertility. Objectives: To investigate whether there is an association between the presence of serum ACL antibodies and infertility in both men and women in Diyala province. Subjects and methods: The present study was conducted in Baquba city for the period from October 2013 to November 2014. Subjects included in this study were chosen from those attending Baquba Teaching Hospital, Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children and some Primary Health Care Centers in Baquba. The subjects were categorized as follows: 30 apparently healthy males with age ranged between (18 - 45) years; 30 apparently healthy women (age range: 18 - 47 years) had at least two live births without any miscarriages; 25 women (age range: 18 - 43 years) had reproductive failure for at least one year of marriage; 30 women (age range: 24 - 44 years) with at least one live birth had no pregnancy for at least two years after last child; 40 males with primary infertility (no children after at least five years of marriage and their active sperm count was zero). Detection of anti-ACL IgG and IgM was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) commercial kits (Wendell/Shelm/Germany). All data were statistically analyzed. Results: The results revealed that the anti-ACL IgM positivity rate was significantly higher among women with primary fertility compared to healthy women (p = 0.006). Similarly, the anti-ACL IgM and anti-ACL IgG were significantly among women with secondary infertility compared to healthy women (p = 0.012) and (p = 0.038) respectively. Although the anti-ACL IgG and IgM positivity rate among men with primary infertility was higher than that of healthy control. However, the differences were failed to reach the statistical significance (p = 0.07) and (p = 0.31) respectively. Conclusion: The presence of high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies in women with primary and secondary infertility as well as in men with primary infertility may support the contention that these autoantibodies contribute to the infertility in both sexes.

Possible Effect of Extended Use of Hormonal Contraception on Increased Levels of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Infertile Women.

Purpose: Increased levels of antiphosholipid antibodies (aPLs) are associated with the autoimmune disorder antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and are known to play a role in infertility. We investigated the possible effect of prolonged use of hormonal contraception (HC) on autoimmunity after discontinuing HC in women with infertility problems. Material and Methods: We analyzed hormonal status including ovulation and the humoral autoimmune response to eight phospholipids detected by ELISA in 1190 infertile women aged 21-46 (mean age: 29.3) years. Results: Long-term HC did not affect ovulation, but in the absence of ovulation HC masked the hormonal disorders. The majority of patients taking HC for more than 10 years with fertility failure had significantly higher levels of aPLs of the IgG isotype against phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine (p > 0.001) than against β2-glycoprotein I and annexin V. Discussion: Thus, high levels of aPLs are significant for the anticoagulant treatment before and during pregnancy to prevent pregnancy loss.

Anti-HE4 antibodies in infertile women and women with ovarian cancer

ObjectivesTo develop an assay for anti-HE4 antibodies and assess such antibodies in sera from women with increased epidemiologic risk for ovarian cancer (infertility) and patients with ovarian cancer in comparison to controls. MethodsAn ELISA was developed to measure antibodies to recombinant full length HE4 and cut-off values were determined for different levels of specificity (up to 99%). ResultsInfertile women more frequently had anti-HE4 antibodies than controls (23% at 98% specificity, p<0.001) with antibodies most frequent in women with POF (31%) and ovulatory dysfunction (47%). There was also an increased frequency of anti-HE4 antibodies in patients with ovarian cancer (14% at 97% specificity, p<0.01), but more women with certain types of infertility have anti-HE4 antibodies than women with ovarian cancer. Most patients with ovarian cancer have circulating HE4 antigen, which may interfere with detection of antibodies, while the level of HE4 antigen in sera from infertile women was not higher than in normal controls. There was a statistically significant correlation between antibodies to HE4 and antibodies to mesothelin in the same patients. ConclusionsWomen with certain types of infertility, which have increased risk to develop ovarian cancer, and women with ovarian cancer more frequently than controls have antibodies to HE4, a biomarker for ovarian cancer. The antibodies may reflect a tumor-promoting Th2 type of inflammation.

HSP90 Antibodies: A Detrimental Factor Responsible for Ovarian Dysfunction

Earlier studies from our group have established that about 47% cases of autoimmune ovarian failure are due to presence of autoantibodies to Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90). However, there are no reports correlating pathological effects of HSP90 autoantibodies leading to ovarian failure. Antibodies to HSP90 in female mouse model were generated by active immunization with an immunodominant peptide of HSP90, followed by detailed analysis of several reproductive parameters. Estrous cyclicity remains unchanged; however, there was a significant drop in the fertility index due to an increase in pre- and post-implantation loss, associated with an increased incidence of degenerated eggs and embryos. The ovaries showed an increase in the number of empty and degenerated follicles and extensive granulosa cell deaths, which was reflected by the decrease in the levels of Nobox and Gja1 gene expression. This study underlines a critical role played by HSP90 in ovarian folliculogenesis and highlights the implications of the presence of anti-HSP90 antibodies in infertile women.

Preliminary evidence for high anti-PLAC1 antibody levels in infertile patients with repeated unexplained implantation failure

ObjectivePlacenta-specific1 (PLAC1) is a trophoblast-specific gene encoding for a protein that is highly expressed in human placenta, on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. PLAC1 was found to elicit spontaneous antibody responses in cancer patients. We aimed to determine the levels of anti-PLAC1 antibodies in infertile women with a history of unexplained repeated implantation failure after IVF cycles as compared to fertile women. Study designAn observational case–control clinical study. Main outcome measure(s)Two groups of patients were analysed in two different experimental settings: 21 infertile women and 81 control patients were enrolled in the first group, 16 infertile women and 67 fertile controls in the second group.Anti-PLAC1 antibody levels and ranking were analysed by ELISA test. ResultsIn both groups of infertile patients enrolled, optical densities (OD) from ELISA test ranked significantly higher than those of controls (0.27 ± 0.2 vs. 0.13 ± 0.1 respectively; p = 0.0009 in the first group), (0.62 ± 0.38 vs. 0.39 ± 0.35 respectively; p = 0.0044 in the second experiment). In the first group about one case in four (29%) had OD levels above the 95thpercentile (0.337) for healthy controls (p = 0.005). In the second experiment 4 out of 16 cases (25%) had OD levels above the 95th percentile (0.878) for healthy controls (p = 0.023). ConclusionsAnti-PLAC1 antibodies could represent a biomarker associated with infertility and with high probability of repeated implantation failure after ovarian stimulation and IVF-ET, greatly improving the diagnostic work up of infertile couples.

Review on Autoimmune Reactions in Female Infertility: Antibodies to Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Female fertility can be affected by diseases or dysfunctions of reproductive tract, neuroendocrine system, and immune system. Reproductive autoimmune failure can be associated with overall activation of immune system or with immune system reactions specifically directed against ovarian antigens. Majority of the antiovarian autoantibodies are directed against β-subunit of follicle stimulating hormone (anti-FSH). This paper summarizes a current clinical classification of female infertility in the context of general activation of autoimmunity and antiovarian autoimmunity by describing serum anti-FSH. The presence of naturally occurring anti-FSH in healthy women will be discussed. In addition, the putative impairment of ovarian folliculogenesis in case of increased production of those antibodies in infertile women will be characterized.

Anti-HSP90 autoantibodies in sera of infertile women identify a dominant, conserved epitope EP6 (380-389) of HSP90 beta protein

BackgroundWe earlier reported a simple specific test for detection of anti-ovarian antibodies in infertile women and identified number of specific molecular and cellular targets of which human heat shock protein 90-beta (HSP90 beta) was found to be the most immunodominant. The present study focuses on prediction and validation of the immunodominant epitope/s of this protein using sera from infertile women having anti-HSP90 autoantibodies.MethodsDelineation of the immunodominant epitopes of HSP90 beta was done by using epitope prediction algorithms and 10 peptides (EP1-EP10) were custom synthesized. Their immunoreactivity was measured by ELISA using sera from patients and controls. To determine the most immunodominant epitope, the results were subjected to statistical analysis. The immunoreactivity of the immunodominant peptides were confirmed by dot blots using sera from patients. A rabbit polyclonal antibody against the immunodominant epitope was generated and its immunoreactivity to the parent protein in ovarian extracts as well in oocytes and embryos was investigated.ResultsExperimentally and statistically, peptide EP6 (380-389) seems to be the major antigenic epitope for the serum antibody binding followed by EP1 (1-12) and EP8 (488-498). Predicted 3D structures of these peptides demonstrated that they exist in the loop conformation which is the most mobile part of the protein. Also, analysis of the sequences of HSP90 beta across several species reveals that EP6 peptide forms a part of a well conserved motif. The polyclonal antibody generated to the immunodominant epitope- EP6 confirms similar biochemical and cellular immunoreactivity as seen with the patients' sera having anti-HSP90 autoantibodies.ConclusionsThe decapeptide EP6 is a major immunogenic epitope of HSP90 followed by EP1 and EP8. Knowledge of binding epitopes on the autoantigen is necessary to understand the subsequent pathologic events. The study might generate new tools for the detection of disease-inducing epitopes and a possible therapeutic intervention.

Incidence of Sperm-immobilizing Antibodies in Infertile Women with Past Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

Among the risk factors for antisperm antibody production, inflammatory diseases of the genital tract are believed to play an important role. Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are some reports suggesting that human sperm have antigens that cross-react immunologically with certain microbial antigens, such as C. trachomatis. However, this is still controversial. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the correlation between anti-chlamydial antibodies and sperm-immobilizing antibodies in infertile women. Between January 2007 and March 2009, the presence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies was examined by the sperm immobilization test using sera from 273 infertile women. Anti-chlamydial antibodies (IgG and IgA) were examined to prove past C. trachomatis infection by ELISA using the same sera from infertile women. The overall incidence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies was 2.9% (8/273) in infertile women. The incidences of sperm-immobilizing antibodies were 6.4% (5/78) in cases with past C. trachomatis infection and 1.5% (3/195) in cases without past C. trachomatis infection. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.031). A significantly higher incidence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies was noted in infertile women with past C. trachomatis infection compared with that of those without past C. trachomatis infection. This is the first demonstration that C. trachomatis infection could play a role in the production of sperm-immobilizing antibodies in infertile women.

Cytomegalovirus infection in infertile women

Objective: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted to a developing child before birth. For most healthy persons who acquire CMV after birth, there are few symptoms. Once a person becomes infected, the virus remains alive, but usually dormant within that person’s body for life. There are two different types of infection: primary CMV and recurrent CMV infection. Primary infection can cause more serious problems in pregnancy than recurrent infection can. However, if a person\'s immune system is seriously weakened in any way, the virus can become active and cause CMV disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate CMV infection, antisperm antibodies in infertile women and its relation to other parameters. Method: Fifty infertile women who presented at the Infertility Clinic of Kammal Al-Sammaree Hospital from May 2008 to July 2009 and thirty fertile control group were included in this study. CMV IgG and IgM measurements were performed by ELISA and antisperm antibody was measured by immunofluorescence test. High vaginal and cervical swabs taken for wet mount, Gram stain and culture. Results: There was no significant difference between infertile and control group regarding CMV IgG. The presence of CMV IgG in the serum was significantly related with previous genital infection of infertility (p

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Serum Anti‐endometrial Antibodies in Infertile Women – Potential Risk Factor for Implantation Failure

Citation Sarapik A, Haller‐Kikkatalo K, Utt M, Teesalu K, Salumets A, Uibo R. Serum anti‐endometrial antibodies in infertile women – potential risk factor for implantation failure. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010Problem Female infertility patients with diverse etiologies show increased production of autoantibodies.Method of study Immunoblot analysis of sera from patients with endometriosis and tubal factor infertility (TFI) and mass spectrometry identification of candidate antigens.Results The immunoblot results demonstrated the presence of IgA and IgG anti‐endometrial antibodies (AEA) to various antigens at molecular weights ranging from 10 to 200 kDa. Differences were detected in certain AEA reactions between the patients’ groups and particular AEA were associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation failure. IgA AEA to a 47‐kDa protein were more prevalent in TFI patients and were associated with unsuccessful IVF treatment. This antigen was subsequently identified as α‐enolase.Conclusion Determination of the presence and spectra of AEA in patients with endometriosis and TFI undergoing IVF may be a useful marker to predict their pregnancy outcome.

Anti-phospholipid autoantibodies—do they have a pathogenic role in infertility?

Anti-phospholipid syndrome includes a variety of clinical manifestations, among which is recurrent pregnancy loss. Recently, it was suggested that anti-phospholipid antibodies might also have a role in infertility, mainly in unexplained infertility. Most of the studies report about an increased prevalence of these antibodies in infertile women; however, data regarding the implication of these antibodies on treatment outcome (mainly in in-vitro fertilization) and if there is a beneficial effect of treating these patients with aspirin, heparin and prednisone—remains still controversial. In this communication we review the literature reports of association of anti-phospholipid antibodies and infertility, and deal with the question whether they have a pathogenic role in these cases.

Does in vitro fertilization (IVF) influence the levels of sperm and zona pellucida (ZP) antibodies in infertile women?

The levels of sperm and zona pellucida antibodies in 250 women divided into four groups according to number of recurrent IVF failures (1-4) were analysed and compared with results of a control group of 211 unexplained infertile women never treated by IVF. Sperm antibodies in serum and in ovulatory cervical mucus were determined by mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test, serum zona pellucida antibodies were detected using passive haemagglutination and ELISA. These tests showed increased occurrence of zona pellucida antibodies in women after repeated IVF. Zona pellucida antibodies were found in 20% after on unsuccessful IVF (similarly to 27% in the control group), but in 64% after two, in 91% after three and in 4 of 5 cases after four IVF failures. Sperm IgG, A, M, and E antibodies in serum and in ovulatory cervical mucus do not seem to be influenced by IVF procedure. The results show evolution of autoimmune process due to repeated ovarial intervention during oocyte collections. Presence of zona pellucida antibodies, on the other hand, may become a cause of IVF failure.