Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted reproduction: effect on the immune system

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 70; no. 5; pp. 831 - 835
• Main Authors: Giuliani, Albrecht, Schoell, Wolfgang, Auner, Johann, Urdl, Wolfgang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.11.1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Case-Control Studies; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; Embryo Transfer; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Follicular Phase - immunology; gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; human menopausal gonadotropin; Humans; Immune System; Luteal Phase - immunology; lymphocyte subsets; Medical sciences; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - immunology; Ovulation - immunology; Sterility. Assisted procreation; lymphocyte subsets; gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; human menopausal gonadotropin; Menstrual cycle; Assisted procreation; Gonadotropin RH; Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; Gonadotropin; HCG; Ovulation; Placental hormone; Female genital diseases; Hypothalamic hormone; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Complication; Female; Hormone releasing factor; Lymphocyte; Immune system
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(98)00282-9

Objective: To determine how controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in assisted reproduction affects the immune system. Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, case-control study. Setting: Academic research setting. Patient(s): Women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing COH in an assisted reproduction program. Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected in the early and late follicular phase, at the time of ovulation, and in the luteal phase during a natural cycle, and at four times during the next cycle, which included COH and IVF. Main Outcome Measure(s): Lymphocyte subpopulations and the differential blood count. Result(s): In the natural cycles, a significant increase in the total numbers of lymphocytes, B cells, natural killer cells, and CD3+HLADR+ cells was observed in the late follicular phase, whereas the T helper/T suppressor cell ratio declined. In the hyperstimulated cycles, increases were seen in the total numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils on the day of hCG administration; the number of lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils was increased on the day of oocyte retrieval, and the total number of leukocytes and neutrophils increased during the luteal phase. Conclusion(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with hMG and simultaneous administration of a GnRH antagonist did not affect the immune system.