Endometriosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Endometriosis, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against FSH: serological markers of pathogenic autoimmunity or of normal immunoregulation?

Haller K, Mathieu C, Rull K, Matt K, Béné MC, Uibo R

Department of Immunology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology and Centre of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia.

PROBLEM: Autoimmune mechanisms are often involved in causing infertility. Among the possible targets of autoantibodies, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which regulates the follicular maturation in human ovary is a promising candidate. We aimed to study whether anti-FSH-antibodies might be involved in different clinical types of infertility. METHOD OF STUDY: The study group consisted of 178 patients (75 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 103 with endometriosis) and 75 pregnant women. Female blood donors formed the control group (n = 85). Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests were performed using purified FSH as antigens and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 78-93 region (V14D) of the human FSH beta-chain. CONCLUSION: We showed that anti-FSH-antibodies were present in controls and their production decreased during pregnancy. Endometriosis and PCOS were associated with higher values of anti-FSH-immunoglobulin (Ig)A, anti-V14D-IgA, and endometriosis with anti-V14D-IgG. Our data suggest that anti-FSH-IgA could be a marker of ovarian disorders that cause infertility.

Published 10 October 2005 in Am J Reprod Immunol, 54(5): 262-9.
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