Immunoglobulin E levels and antisperm antibody titers in infertile couples

Subfertility as Overlapping of Nutritional, Endocrine, Immune, and Cardiometabolic Dysregulations-A Study Focused on Biochemical Endophenotypes of Subfertile Couples

Subfertility is a global health issue, and as many as 30% of cases are attributed to unexplained reasons. A hypercaloric, high-fat diet stimulates the expansion of pro-inflammatory gut microbiota with a consequent rise in circulating lipopolysaccharides. Adverse gut microbiota remodeling can exacerbate insulin resistance, while sex and thyroid hormones may influence the variability in gut microbiota. This cross-sectional study included 150 participants and was designed to determine a biochemical, nutritional-related pattern that may distinguish subfertile from fertile individuals and couples. A panel of 28 biomarkers was assessed. Four biochemical phenotypes of unexplained subfertility were found, including two metabolic and two immune, when assessed using binary logistic regression models. Two phenotypes were distinguished in women: cardio-metabolic with atherogenic dyslipidemia (LowHDL-cholesterol: OR = 10.9; p < 0.05) and autoimmune thyroid disorder (Highanti-thyroid-peroxidase: OR = 5.5; p < 0.05) and two in men: hepato-metabolic with elevated liver injury enzymes (HighHOMA-IR: OR = 6.1; p < 0.05) and immune type-2 response (HighIgE: OR = 6.4; p < 0.05). The chances of a couple's subfertility rose with the number of laboratory components of metabolic syndrome in the couple (OR = 1.7; p < 0.05) and if at least one partner had an elevated total IgE level (>100 kU/L) (OR = 6.5; p < 0.05). This study found that unexplained subfertility may be accompanied by mutually overlapping immune and metabolic dysregulations in individuals and couples. We propose one-time laboratory diagnostics taking into account the lipid profile, insulin resistance, anti-thyroid-peroxidase, and total IgE in both males and females with unexplained subfertility. This may allow for a one-time assessment of targeted medical and nutritional interventions and help optimize patients' health. The gut-organ axes related to subfertility are discussed in the context of the obtained results.

TH1-TH2 response and the atopy risk in patients with reproduction failure

PROBLEM

Enhanced TH2 activity is characteristic for atopic diseases and is observed also in physiological pregnancy. The immune causes of repeated pregnancy losses and/or repeated in vitro fertilization failure may be associated with TH2 hypoactivity. The association with frequency of atopic diseases is unclear.

METHOD OF STUDY

Intracellular production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma by peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes was studied, as well as serum levels of total and allergen specific IgE. Simultaneously skin prick tests with inhalant allergens were performed, and clinical features of atopy were registered by means of a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Lower intracellular production of IL-4 by peripheral CD4+ T cells and lower frequency of elevated total and allergen specific IgE were found in women with reproduction failure compared to controls, as well as lower frequency of some symptoms possibly associated with atopy.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed the presence of TH2 hypoactivity in women with reproduction failure, which may be associated with lower occurrence of atopic diseases.

Quantitative analysis of mast cells in testicular aspiration cytology smears in azoospermic males

Quantitative estimation of mast cells was done in testicular aspiration cytology smears of 90 azoospermic males. Cases included normal spermatogenesis (32), Sertoli cell only (38), late maturation arrest (16), and early maturation arrest (4). The pooled number of mast cells in 20 standard fields in Sertoli cell only and late maturation arrest cases were significantly higher than that of normal spermatogenesis (P < .001 and P < .01 respectively). Aggregates of mast cells were found around the seminiferous tubules in Sertoli cell only cases. The findings suggest that increased number of mast cells may be the cause or effect of testicular damage in idiopathic male infertility.

Recurrent vaginitis as a result of sexual transmission of IgE antibodies

The role of the man in the etiology of recurrent vaginitis was examined in three women who reported an association between coitus and the initiation of clinical symptoms. The patients' disorders consisted of vaginal pruritus, burning, a white discharge, and painful coitus. Vaginal pH in each case was 4.5. Microscopic examination of wet mounts of vaginal secretion had no clue cells and no organisms other than lactobacillus. One culture was positive for Candida albicans; however, successful treatment of the C. albicans vaginitis did not eliminate the patient's symptoms. Semen samples from the patients' partners were negative for C. albicans. One of the seminal fluids had highly elevated concentrations of total IgE. The other two semen samples contained IgE antibodies that were reactive with a particulate fraction of vaginal fluids obtained from their wives. In contrast, vaginal fluids from the patients were all negative for IgE antibodies to their partner's semen. Use of a condom during coitus ended the recurring cycles of vaginitis in all three women. Vaginitis may be induced by an allergic reaction initiated by the transfer from men to women during coitus of IgE antibodies reactive either to antigens of the female genital tract or components of semen. Men allergic to female vaginal secretions, to vaginal microbes or their products, or to semen represent a previously unrecognized noninfectious vector for this disorder.