[Ovarian autoimmunity and ovarian pathologies: antigenic targets and diagnostic significance].

The involvement of serum anti-ovarian autoantibodies (AOA) in ovarian pathology still remains controversial. In some cases of clinically patent ovarian failure, there seems to be a causal relationship between AOA and the ovarian disease. In patients with various organ-specific or systemic autoimmune diseases, or with unexplained, repeated reproductive failure, but otherwise normal ovarian function, it is even more difficult to determine the significance of AOA for several reasons: i) AOA recognize many different antigenic targets in the ovary ii) the antiovarian response may be transient or variable with time iii) the presence of AOA does not imply their aetiopathogenic role in the disease.

[Consequences of cigarette smoking on male fertility].

The different studies conducted over the last fifteen years on the consequences of cigarette smoking on male fertility have shown a decrease of sperm quality in smokers. In fact, the components of cigarette smoke pass through the blood-testis barrier and thus induce an alteration of sperm parameters and nucleus quality of the spermatozoa. Beyond this decrease of sperm quality, cigarette smoking also appears to have an impact on the smoker's offspring: lower embryo quality, increased risks to develop a childhood cancer.

[What are the antigenic targets in the ovary?].

The ovary can be the target of an autoimmune disease involving many different autoantigens. The clinical feature of this disease often results in premature ovarian failure or infertility and may be either isolated or associated with other autoimmune pathologies, especially with adrenal autoimmunity. The diagnosis of an autoimmune mechanism relies on the presence of anti-ovarian antibodies, whose prevalence is quite variable according to the different methods used to detect them, and to the different stages of the disease.

[Premature ovarian failure in galactosaemia: pathophysiology and clinical management].

Classic galactosaemia is a rare aetiology of premature ovarian failure. It is caused by galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency and leads to a severe disease in the newborn. This acute toxic syndrome will completely regress under a galactose-free diet, but some long-term complications, particularly hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in female patients, are frequently observed.

[The genetic basis of premature ovarian failure].

Premature ovarian failure is defined by the association of amenorrhea, elevated levels of serum gonadotropins and hypoestrogenism occuring before the age of forty. In a growing number of these cases, genetic disorders have been shown to be involved. Cytogenetic abnormalities predominantly concern the X chromosome, including Turner syndrome, but also rearrangements such as deletions and X-autosome translocations.