DOES IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) INFLUENCE THE LEVELS OF SPERM AND ZONA-PELLUCIDA (ZP) ANTIBODIES IN INFERTILE WOMEN

The levels of sperm and zona pellucida antibodies in 250 women divided into four groups according to number of recurrent IVF failures (1-4) were analysed and compared with results of a control group of 211 unex plained infertile women never treated by IVF. Sperm antibodies in seru m and in ovulatory cervical mucus were determined by mixed antiglobuli n reaction (MAR) test, serum zona pellucida antibodies were detected u sing passive haemagglutination and ELISA. These tests showed increased occurrence of zona pellucida antibodies in women after repeated IVE Z ona pellucida antibodies were found in 20% after one unsuccessful IVF (similarly to 27% in the control group), but in 64% after two, in 91% after three and in 4 of 5 cases after four IVF failures. Sperm IgG, A, M and E antibodies in serum and in ovulatory cervical mucus do not se em to be influenced by IVF procedure. The results show evolution of au toimmune process due to repeated ovarial intervention during oocyte co llections. Presence of zona pellucida antibodies, on the other hand. m ay become a cause of IVF failure.