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

Abstract

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.

Successful Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Recurrent IVF Failure and Anti-hCG Autoimmunity: A Report of Three Cases

“…Among potential causes of RIF, uterine factors (aberrant endometrial receptivity, immunological incompatibility) and embryo quality have been widely investigated [12]. Nevertheless, up to 20% of couples, whose IVF failures could not be explained by anatomic, endocrine, or chromosomal abnormalities, are determined to have “unexplained” infertility [3, 6]. …”

Dynamics of the Ovarian Reserve and Impact of Genetic and Epidemiological Factors on Age of Menopause1

“…With respect to age of menopause excluding POI, no convincing data supports a primary association between systemic autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and earlier age of menopause. Thus, autoimmune antibodies often observed in POI [120][121][122][123][124][125][126] as well as in those with incipient menopause around age 50 [127] suggests an interactive phenomenon resulting from agingrelated inflammation, immunosenescence, and hormonal changes. Additional studies are needed to ascertain the impact of autoimmunity on the onset of POI, and most importantly to assess if autoantibodies accompany rather than cause POI.…”

Ovulation Induction is a More Effective Stimulant on Antiovarian Antibody Production than In Vitro Fertilization

“…In studies with IVF patients, it has been suggested that strong ovulation induction causes antigen secretion and that the pick-up process, along with repeated physical trauma, causes the secretion of antigens inside of the ovarian tissue that has not encountered the immune system before [19,[23][24][25][26][27]. However, some authors argue that neither the first nor repeated cycles of IVF cause an increase in AOA concentrations [28,29]. In our study, we evaluated the effect of IVF treatment on AOA levels, by measuring the AOA in the pretreatment phase, after ovulation COH and after OPU.…”