Antiphospholipid syndrome and infertility

Lupus. 2020 Feb;29(2):105-117. doi: 10.1177/0961203319893763. Epub 2019 Dec 12.

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with obstetric complications along with vascular events affecting multiple organ systems in patients having positive titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. Eight to 20% of infertility cases have an unknown cause, part of which could be due to antiphospholipid syndrome. Although still debatable, many studies have addressed the relation between reproductive failure and antiphospholipid antibodies through the relation between antiphospholipid antibodies and unexplained infertility as well as the effect of antiphospholipid antibodies on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Few studies and cases have associated the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies with male infertility, describing morphofunctional penile abnormalities and testicular infarction. There are not enough data to support the routine practice of testing antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with infertility.

Keywords: Antiphospholipid syndrome; antiphospholipid antibodies; infertility; obstetric complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / immunology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / immunology*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / immunology
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / pathology
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / immunology*
  • Infertility, Female / pathology
  • Infertility, Male / immunology*
  • Infertility, Male / pathology
  • Male
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid