The role of chlamydial antibodies in an in vitro fertilization program

The reported incidence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in patients attending infertility clinics is at least 30%. It has been reported that chlamydial antibodies are associated with decreased pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization (IVF). A study was performed to investigate the significance of chlamydial antibodies in an established IVF program. The results did not show a decreased pregnancy rate in the presence of chlamydial antibodies. Of the women achieving pregnancy, 41% were seropositive compared with 38% seropositivity in women who did not become pregnant. There was no apparent benefit of the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The results also suggested that past infection with C. trachomatis in men did not adversely affect semen analysis or fertilization.