Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Endocrinology and Female Infertility Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran
2
Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University (MC), Tehran, Iran
3
Epidemiology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Paramedical Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
4
Andrology Department, Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disorder of multi causal etiology. Autoimmunity has been proposed as a mechanism for some cases of ovarian follicle dysfunction which is evident in POF. The aim of this study was to identify the level of auto-antibodies in POF and familial POF patients.
Materials and methods
In this study, auto-antibodies including anti-ovarian antibody (AOA), anti thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies were assessed in the sera of 43 cases with spontaneous POF including 12 cases affected by familial POF. The control samples were obtained from sera of 39 women with normal ovulatory or post menopause women.
Results
AOA were detected in 46.5% of the POF group, 41.7% of the familial POF group and 41% of the control group without significant statistical difference between the three groups. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody was found in 32.6% of the POF group, 41.6% of the familial POF group and 10.3% of the control group. Anti TPO was detected significantly high in both POF and familial POF groups (p
Conclusion
Although measurement of AOA is not a reliable method for diagnosis of auto-immune POF, but existence of anti thyroid antibodies in familial POF (mainly anti TG) can potentially represent an autoimmune mechanism. It is possible to propose a genetic component for developing autoimmune POF supported by presence of anti thyroid antibodies in familial POF.
Keywords
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