Different antiphospholipid antibody specificities are found in association with early repeated pregnancy loss versus recurrent IVF-failure patients

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2001 Nov;46(5):323-9. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2001.d01-19.x.

Abstract

Problem: Patients having in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) failures show an increased incidence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies; but controversy exists whether aPL can induce IVF-failure. This study was designed to compare aPL specificities between recurrent IVF-failure patients versus repeated early pregnancy loss (RPL) patients.

Method of study: Anticardiolipin (aCL), lupus anticoagulant (LA), antiphosphatidylserine (aPS), antiphosphatidylethanolamine (aPE), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were measured in 74 recurrent IVF-ET failure patients and compared with 273 early RPL patients ( < 10 weeks).

Results: An increased incidence of IgG-aPE and ANA was observed for both groups in comparison with controls. Patients with recurrent IVF-ET failure showed a significantly higher prevalence of IgG-aPS (P = 0.02) and IgG-aCL (P = 0.02) when compared with early RPL patients or controls.

Conclusions: IgG-aPS and IgG-aCL may be responsible for some IVF-failures. Additional studies are needed to clarify the pathogenic role of IgG-aPS and IgG-aCL on IVF-ET failure.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / etiology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / immunology
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid