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Sperm, Nuclear, Phospholipid, and Red Blood Cell Antibodies and Isotype RF in Infertile Couples and Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Author(s) -
Fichorova R.,
Nakov L.,
Baleva M.,
Nikolov K.,
Gegova I.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1996.tb00181.x
Subject(s) - antibody , isotype , immunology , sperm , medicine , autoantibody , andrology , monoclonal antibody
PROBLEM: To determine if measuring of nonorgan‐specific autoantibodies is useful for better understanding and management of unexplained infertility. METHODS: Sera were obtained from 70 infertile couples, 57 rheumatic patients, and 76 fertile donors. Sperm antibodies (SA) were detected by the tests of Kibrick and Friberg, anti‐histones, anti‐cardiolipin antibodies, and RF isotypes by ELISA, antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence, and anti‐red blood cell antibodies by Capture‐R. RESULTS: Multiple autoimmune reactivity (both partners positive and/or more than one type of autoantibody involved), higher than naturally occurring in fertile individuals, was found in 55% of the idiopathically infertile couples. IgA‐RF was the dominant autoimmune marker. SA revealed similar rates in patients with rheumatic diseases and in infertiles with or without other autoantibodies. CONCLUSION: Although no single autoimmunity marker could predict occurrence of SA, the coincidence of enhanced polyclonal autoimmunity in both partners of infertile couples might potentiate their negative effect on reproduction.