Autoimmune disorders: another possible cause for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer failure

This study was undertaken to investigate the role of autoantibodies in association with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer failure. Anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant, anti-deoxyribonucleic acid and antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor and antithyroid antibody concentrations were measured. The study group comprised 50 IVF patients with three or more previously failed cycles after embryo transfer. The control group comprised 80 computer-matched women: 40 who had conceived and delivered following three or less IVF and embryo transfer cycles, and 40 who were healthy nulligravidas. The incidence of autoantibodies in the study group was 22.0%, compared with 2.5% in the IVF control group (P < 0.05) and 7.5% in the nulligravida group (P < 0.05). In the study group, no statistical difference was found between the patients with unexplained infertility and those with mechanical infertility (23.0 and 20.8% respectively). The high occurrence of autoantibodies found in patients who failed at least three IVF and embryo transfer cycles could imply that these autoantibodies may be one of the possible causes of IVF failure in either mechanical or unexplained infertility. Further investigations are required to indicate the autoantibody profile as part of the work-up after three or more failed IVF and embryo transfer attempts.