Specific and Sensitive Immunoassays Detect Multiple Anti-ovarian Antibodies in Women With Infertility
Eusebio S. Pires 1, Pervin K. Meherji 1, Rama R. Vaidya 1, Firuza R. Parikh 1, Manish N. Ghosalkar 1 and Vrinda V. Khole 1*
1 Department of Gamete Immuno Biology (ESP,MNG,VVK) and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic (PKM), National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai, India; Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Swami Prakashananda Ayurvedic Research Centre, Mumbai, India (RRV); and Department of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, IVF clinic, Mumbai, India (FRP)
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kholevv{at}icmr.org.in.
Submitted on April 13, 2007
Accepted on 5 July 2007
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Abstract |
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Serum anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA) have been shown in autoimmune premature ovarian failure (AI-POF) and in vitro fertilization- embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cases. The specificity of assays detecting these antibodies has been questioned. Researchers have used several techniques for e.g. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Few have reported on the non-specificity and the type of molecular and cellular targets. We have earlier reported the presence of naturally occurring anti-albumin antibodies (NAA) as the likely factor for non-specificity. Having developed a novel blocking recipe, we show substantial elimination of this non-specificity. With these standardized tests, we hereby report multiple targets both at protein as well as histological levels. In our study group 15/50 (30%) premature ovarian failure (POF) patients and 13/50 (26%) IVF-ET patients show presence of AOA. Western blotting shows a large number of patients making AOA to a 90 kDa protein followed by 97 and 120 kDa proteins. Histochemically it was evident that the sera of these patients predominantly react with the oocyte; other somatic cellular targets are also involved. The specific non-invasive test developed by us was found to be useful as it could carry out a reliable diagnosis of an autoimmune etiology which would be very helpful to select patients in whom immune-modulating therapy could be recommended which in turn may restore ovarian function and thereby fertility.
Key Words:
anti-ovarian antibodies, clinical significance, cellular targets, POF, IVF-ET
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