Immunological disturbances in patients with premature ovarian failure

Eighteen patients with postmenopausal gonadotrophin levels and secondary amenorrhoea before the age of 35 years (premature ovarian failure, POF) were examined for the presence of cellular and humoral immune defects. Six patients had an abnormally low natural killer (NK) cell activity. The levels of circulating immune complexes were increased in six patients. Tissue antibodies were detected in six patients and two of these possessed ovarian antibodies. Leukocyte migration inhibition in the presence of ovarian antigen was slightly enhanced in three patients. Altogether 12 patients (66%) with POF had some immunological defect or defects suggesting that immune mechanisms are often involved in the aetiology of POF.