Antisperm Antibodies in Semen, Sera and Follicular Fluids of Infertile Patients: Relation to Reproductive Outcome afterIn VitroFertilization

PROBLEM

Data given in the literature, regarding the influence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in the semen and/or sera on in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure outcome are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of ASA in semen, peripheral blood and follicular fluid as well as to determine total immunoglobulin concentration in the serum and follicular fluid. Selected parameters were analyzed with regard to IVF outcome.

METHOD OF STUDY

The study enrolled 52 married couples. ASA in the semen was determined by direct immunobead mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR Screen test), while in the peripheral blood and follicular fluid was determined by indirect immunobead MAR Screen test. Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) concentration in the follicular fluid and serum was determined by a liquid-phase immunoprecipitation assay with nephelometric end-point detection and analyzed with regard to IVF outcome.

RESULTS

Semen MAR test IgG was < 20% in 38 couples, and > 20% in 14 couples. Fertilization (73.2% versus 71.5%) and pregnancy rates (28.9% versus 28.57%) in both groups of patients were not significantly different. The results of direct and indirect MAR test were not associated with fertilization and pregnancy rates. Total serum IgG, IgM and IgA in infertile women were within normal ranges. Follicular fluid IgG was within normal values for serum samples, while IgA and IgM were decreased.

CONCLUSION

The presence of ASA on sperm or in the serum and follicular fluid was not associated with IVF outcome in the couples with good quality semen characteristic.

B- and T-cells in the Follicular Fluid and Peripheral Blood of Patients Undergoing IVF/ET Procedures

PROBLEM

To analyse percentage of total and memory CD27(+) B-cells and other lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood (PB) and follicular fluid (FF) of infertile married couples.

METHOD OF STUDY

Forty-eight couples from in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) programme were divided into four groups: patients with previous unsuccessful fertilization (n = 13), ectopic pregnancy (n = 8), multiple (at least three) failed IVF/ET (n = 18) and missed abortions (n = 9). Control group consisted of 15 married couples with healthy children.

RESULTS

PB memory CD27(+) B-cells were significantly decreased in all groups of infertile patients compared with controls. First group had increased memory B-cells percentages compared with the second group. The differences in the percentages of PB memory B-cells in third and fourth group compared with the first group were not statistically significant. FF memory B-cells in the first and third group were significantly increased compared with second and fourth group. The percentage of total FF B-cells in all groups were significantly decreased compared with their percentage in PB. Male partners of women from the first group had had significantly increased percentages of memory B-cells compared with the partners of women from the second group. Percentage of total T- and B-cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, NK cells and activated HLA-DR(+) T-cells in all groups were not significantly different from controls. We found no statistically significant difference between immunoglobulin E levels in all groups of patients. We found lower levels of IgA and IgM in FF compared with serum in all groups.

CONCLUSION

Infertile patients have significantly decreased percentage of CD27(+) B-cells in the PB. Abnormalities in the memory B-cell compartment may contribute to the pathogenesis of infertility. In the T-cell compartment abnormalities were not detected. It appears that hormonal stimulation did not influence cellular immunity parameters.

Characterization of the vitamin E-binding properties of human plasma afamin

Human plasma afamin, the fourth member of the albumin gene family, is shown to be a specific binding protein for vitamin E. A radio ligand-binding assay followed by Scatchard and Hill analysis are used to show that afamin has a binding affinity for both alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, two of the most important forms of vitamin E, in vitro. The binding-dissociation constant was determined to be 18 microM, indicating that afamin plays a role as vitamin E carrier in body fluids such as human plasma and follicular fluid under physiological conditions. Additionally, we demonstrate that afamin has multiple binding sites for both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol. Due to the large binding capacity of afamin for vitamin E, it might take over the role of vitamin E transport in body fluids under conditions where the lipoprotein system is not sufficient for vitamin E transport. To confirm the experimental results, we performed homology modeling and docking calculations on the predicted tertiary structure, which showed coincidence between calculated and in vitro results.