NK cells not only in endometrium but also in ovulatory cervical mucus in patients with decreased fertility.

Objective: An increased number of NK cells is associated with autoimmune disorder and is known to play a role in infertility. The aim of our research was to monitor the density of NK cells CD56+ and CD16+ in ovulatory cervical mucus (OCM) and in endometrium in infertile women as well as in connection with the actual status of antibodies against phospholipids, sperm and HHV-6 antibodies.

Type Of Study: Original aticle.

[Results of the treatment in selected infertile patients with high density of endometrial NK cells CD56+ and CD16+ Second part].

Introduction: This statements follows the first part of our publication entitled Screening of endometrial NK cells in selected infertile patients (First part - Methods and current results), where we dealt with methodology and endometrial findings of the natural killer cells CD16+ and CD56+. These cells are among the most important in preimplantaion, and in implantation period, in early pregnancy too, but can also negatively influence above mentioned processes.

Objective: We focused on the immunomodulatory treatment with intramuscular immunoglobulins in 21 infertile patients with a high density of endometrial NK cells CD16+ and CD56+.

[Screening of endometrial NK cells in selected infertile patients First part - Methods and current results].

Introduction: Generaly, natural killer cells (NK cells) are among the most important cells of our immune defense system. They are present in the blood, decidua but also in secretory endometrium.

Objective: We investigate an association between high density of NK cells CD56+ and NK cells CD16+ into blood and secretory endometrium in patients with up to now unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

Inhibin A and B levels in serum and follicular fluids of women with various reproductive failures undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Objective: Ovarian inhibins (INH) are hormones participating in the regulation of gametogenesis. We monitored inhibin A and B levels in serum (S) and follicular fluids (FF), depending on the type of fertility failure and treatment outcome.

Material And Methods: We examined INHA and B levels in S and FF of 72 women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization, including embryo transfer We took serum samples at the time of egg collection (S1), embryo transfer (S2), and diagnostics of early pregnancy (S3).

Possible Effect of Extended Use of Hormonal Contraception on Increased Levels of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Infertile Women.

Increased levels of antiphosholipid antibodies (aPLs) are associated with the autoimmune disorder antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and are known to play a role in infertility. We investigated the possible effect of prolonged use of hormonal contraception (HC) on autoimmunity after discontinuing HC in women with infertility problems. We analyzed hormonal status including ovulation and the humoral autoimmune response to eight phospholipids detected by ELISA in 1190 infertile women aged 21-46 (mean age: 29.

Some immunological properties of female saliva and its effect on sperm motility.

Background: In this study, we investigated pH, levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, lysozyme and spermagglutinating antibodies in human saliva of healthy women, with or without hormonal contraception (HC) and their effect on sperm motility.

Methods And Results: Saliva was collected immediately after waking up from 59 healthy randomly selected women. We measured pH in sera and in saliva as well as immunoglobulin G, A and M levels in saliva by radial immunodiffusion.

Hyperstimulation syndrome: the levels of inhibin A and B in sera and follicular fluids.

Ovarial hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) represents a serious problem encountered during in vitro fertilization (IVF). We examined 10 patients with OHSS and 50 women also hormonally stimulated in the process of IVF who had no complications. In all women, we evaluated the number of obtained oocytes and the level of inhibins A and B in sera and follicular fluid collected at the time of ovarial puncture, the day embryo transfer and on the day of positivity for hCG.

[The incidence of latent asymptomatic celiac disease in women with decreased fertility].

Objective: To determine whether patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions and IVF suffer from latent celiac disease.

Design: Perspective study.

Settings: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Faculty Hospital, Charles University, Pilsen.

Recurrent pregnancy loss, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (-675) 4G/5G polymorphism and antiphospholipid antibodies in Czech women.

Problem: This study compares the frequencies of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (-675) 4G/5G polymorphism and its relationship with eight antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in serum of 157 patients with repeated pregnancy loss (RPL).

Method Of Study: PAI-1 (-675) 4G/5G polymorphism was determined using standard PCR-RFLP method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the detection of aPLs against ph-serine, ph-ethanolamine, ph-inositol, ph-DL-glycerol, phosphatidic acid, annexin V, cardiolipin, and beta2-GPI.

Sperm cells induce distinct cytokine response in peripheral mononuclear cells from infertile women with serum anti-sperm antibodies.

Background And Aims: Anti-sperm antibodies in can markedly reduce the likelihood of natural conception. The etiology of this anti-sperm immunity in human females is unknown. We compared the cytokine response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from infertile patients with or without anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) and fertile women.

Occurrence of selected antiphospholipid antibodies in offspring born from mothers with autoimmunity.

Autoimmune diseases can be accompanied by presence of various antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The laboratory criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome are based on detection of anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant or to antiβ2- glycoprotein I but currently a significance of other multiple aPL is being discussed. Because of their vascular and neuroinflammatory effect aPL, if being transplacentally transferred, might inflict damage in developing organism.

[Local sperm antibodies and general levels of immunoglobulins in ovulatory cervical mucus].

Objective: The aim of our preliminary study was to compare the levels of total local sIgA and IgG with activity of detected sperm antibodies in ovulatory cervical mucus (OCM).

Setting: Department of Gyneacology and Obstetrics, Medical School and Faculty Hospital, Charles University, Plzen.

Methods: We screened samples of OCM from 12 pacients aged 26-31 (29,6 years on average) by radial immunodifusion (RID) to determine s IgA and IgG.

[Isolation and immunology identification of spermagglutinating antibodies from human serum].

Objective: Isolation of spermagglutinating antibodies and their assesment.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Special consulting for reptoduction immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Plzen.

[IgG antibodies against laminin-1 in serum and in peritoneal fluid in patients with decreased fertility].

Objective: To study of IgG antibodies against laminin-1 (IgG-a-Ln-1) in patients with decreased fertility, especially with endometriosis and with diagnosis of polycystic ovaries.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Special Consultation for Immunology of Reproduction and Research Laboratories for Reproductive Immunology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical School of Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen.

[The lifestyle of Pilsner University female students and its effect on vaginal mycosis].

Background: Up to now, it does not exit whole look at the life quality of the Pilsner female University students, especially in connection with gynecological history. It is reality that in last years the number of gynecological problems among young women increases such as the number of diseases with immunological background.

Method: We prepared questionnaire with 36 questions directed to life style, gynecological history, partner's life, food and hygienic habits, and nicotinism.

Sperm antibodies, intra-acrosomal sperm proteins, and cytokines in semen in men from infertile couples.

Problem: The aim of this study was to investigate seminal sperm-agglutinating antibodies, intra-acrosomal proteins, sperm head abnormalities, and cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma) in men from infertile couples.

Method Of Study: The direct mixed anti-immunoglobulin reaction test for IgG, IgA, and IgE in semen, and immunocytochemical method using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence for the examination of intra-acrosomal proteins in the spermatozoa were used. Cytokines in seminal plasma were determined by multiplex immunoanalytic xMAP (LUMINEX) technology.

Laboratory evaluation of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with venous thromboembolism.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the significance of extended antiphospholipid profile in patients with venous thromboembolism without any systemic autoimmune disease. In 140 patients (age 18-69 years; 47.1% men) with venous thromboembolism and 136 control participants we tested anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I (anti-beta2-GPI) and also non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies: antiphosphatidic acid, antiphosphatidylethanolamine, antiphosphatidylglycerol, antiphosphatidylinositol, antiphosphatidylserine.

Antibodies against laminin-1 and sperm, intraacrosomal proteins in semen from infertile couples.

Seminal sperm-agglutinating antibodies along with IgG antibodies against laminin-1 and intraacrosomal sperm proteins were examined in seventy-one men from infertile couples. The direct mixed antiimmunoglobulin reaction test for IgG, IgA, and the commercial ELISA method for detecting IgG antibodies against laminin-1 in seminal plasma were used. Intraacrosomal proteins in the sperm heads were detected by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies.

[Levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cervical ovulatory mucus in women with spontaneous miscarriages].

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare levels of PGE2 in cervical ovulatory mucus in patients with various frequency of spontaneous miscarriages, and in healthy fertile women.

Setting: Special Consultation for Immunology of Reproduction and Research Laboratories for Reproductive Immunology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty of Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen.

Methods: We used commercial, high sensitive method of ELISA (PGE2 HS, R&D Systems) for detection of PGE2 in cervical ovulatory mucus.

[Semen quality of Pilsner University students].

Background: Decreasing quality of the semen represents a big problem for human population. Parameters of spermiogramms are used for obtaining of information about the human semen quality. The aim of our study was to evaluate parameters of semen and its immunological characteristics in relation to data from personal history of our students.

Recurrent pregnancy loss and frequency of eight antiphospholipid antibodies and genetic thrombophilic factors in Czech women.

Problem: The aim of this study was to investigate frequencies of eight antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in serum, four genetic thrombophilic factors and their mutual relation in 206 patients with repeated pregnancy loss (RPL).

Method Of Study: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for detection of aPLs against ph-serine, ph-ethanolamine, ph-inositol, DL-glycerol, phosphatidic acid, anti-annexin V, cardiolipin, and beta2-GPI. FV 1691G>A (Leiden mutation), FII 20210G>A mutation, MTHFR 677C>T and MTHFR 1298A>C variant genotypes were determined using a melting curve analysis of the PCR amplification product detected by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

[Are the antibodies against laminin-1 the signifikant marker of decreased fertility in women?].

Objective: Study of antibodies against laminin-1 in IgG in patients with habitual abortion.

Design: Prospective study.

Methods: Commercial ELISA method for detection of IgG antibodies against laminin-1 in ovulatory cervical mucus, in sera in women with repeated spontaneous abortions, in sera in patients during spontaneous miscarriages.

[Placenta and annexin V receptors, antibodies against annexin V and against other phospholipids in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss].

The Aim: To study placenta annexin V receptors, and serum antibodies against ph-acid, ph-ethanolamine, ph-glycerol, ph-inositol, ph-serine, cardiolipin, beta2-glycoprotein I, prothrombin a annexin V in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Setting: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Faculty Hospital of Charles University, Plzen.

Methods: We examined sera and placenta tissue from 156 patients in reproductive age with unexplained repeated pregnancy loss.

[Serum antibodies against annexin V and other phospholipids in women with fertility failure].

The Aim: To study serum antibodies against annexin V and against other phospholipids in women with fertility failure.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Imunology and Alergology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Charles University and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic.

[Inhibin B and intraacrosomal proteins in men from the couples with fertility disorders].

The Aim: To monitor the basic andrologic and immunologic sperm factors and the levels of inhibin B in serum and in seminal plasma in men from the couples with infertility disorders.

Setting: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School, Charles University and University Hospital, Plzen, Institute of Molecular Genetics, AV CR, Prague, Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, LF UK a FN, Plzen.

Methods: We used conventional methods for estimation of sperm quality according to WHO and we detected the intra-acrosomal proteins by monoclonal antibodies (Hs8 and Hs14, immunofluorescent method), spermantibodies by direct mixed antiimunoglobulin reaction (MAR) test, and we examined inhibin B in serum (< or =400 pg/ml= A) and in seminal plasma (< or = 600 pg/ml= N) by ELISA in 355 men aged 21-52 years (ø 34 years) with normal levels of FSH, LH and testosterone.