Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
The effect of antigamete antibodies on the success of assisted reproduction
The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of antigamente antibodies in unexplained infertility patients and to prove the efficiency of IUI and IVF-ET treatments for these patients. The study includes 46 unexplained infertility patients and as controls, a group of 21 tubal infertility patients. Serum, follicular fluid and cervical mucus samples were collected from each patient and antibodies were measured with commercial ELISA kits. Twenty-two of the 46 unexplained infertility patients produced at least one of the antibodies against sperm or ovary. Fertilization rates were lower in immunological and unexplained infertility patients than in tubal infertility patients, being statistically significant. Pregnancy rates were lower in immunological and unexplained infertility patients than in tubal infertility patients after IVF-ET, but this was not statistically significant. Pregnancy rates after IUI treatment were equal in both immunological and unexplained infertility groups. AGA (antigamete antibodies) were found in 45% of unexplained infertility patients and therefore may be a possible cause of infertility. IUI and IVF-ET are succesful choices for treatment of these patients.