Immunity to zona pellucida in women with low response to ovarian stimulation, in unexplained infertility and after multiple IVF attempts

A retrospective study was designed to assess the presence ofantizona pellucida autoantibodies in in-vitro fertilization(IVF) patients in relation to low ovarian response, multipleIVF attempts and unexplained infertility. Antizona pellucidaand antisperm antibodies were determined in serum samples obtainedfrom 37 women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer and 20 fertilewomen. Antizona pellucida antibodies were measured using enzymeimmunoabsorbent assay. Antisperm antibodies were evaluated bythe immunobead binding method. Three of 10 patients with lowresponse to ovarian stimulation had antizona pellucida antibodiesin serum and one patient had antisperm antibodies. None of theother participants in the study and the control groups demonstratedmeasurable levels of serum antigamete antibodies. The resultsin this small group suggest an association between antizonapellucidaantibodies and suboptimal response to gonadotrophins. It isindicated that repeated stimulation and puncture of ovariesin IVF procedures do not elicit auto-immunity to gametes.