Elevated level of antisperm antibodies as a risk factor for unfavorable pregnancy outcome after use of assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

The study objective is to analyze the connection between the level ofantisperm antibodies and pregnancy outcomes in pairs who underwent in vitro fertilization procedure due to secondary infertility.Materials and methods. At the center for family planning and reproduction V.N. Gorodkov Ivanovo Scientific Research Institute for Maternity and Childhood, a prospective cohort study of 46 women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and secondary infertility developed in the last year which became an indication for use of assisted reproductive technologies was performed. A comparative analysis of spermograms and MAR test results prior to ART was performed. The group 1 included pairs with MAR test result >10 %, the group 2 — MAR test result <10 %.Results. Forty-one percent (41 %) of pregnancies in the group 1 and 82.3 % of pregnancies in the group 2 resulted in term normal birth (p <0.05). A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.36) between elevated IgG level and unfavorable pregnancy outcome (miscarriage) was observed. Elevated level of antisperm antibodies increased the risk of miscarriage by 6.57 (1.67—25.78).Conclusion. Presence of antisperm antibodies on the surface of spermatozoa dramatically worsens pregnancy outcome prognosis even if the number of covered spermatozoa is between 10 and 49 %. This characteristic can be used as a predictor for reproductive failure.

Keywords

• antisperm antibodies
• mar test
• assisted reproductive technologies
• miscarriage
• male infertility factor