Antiphospholipid Autoantibodies in Women with Unexplained Infertility and Recurrent First Trimester Abortion

Objective: To assess the presence of antiphospholipid auto-antibodies (aPLA) in women who are suffering from unexplained infertility or recurrent first trimester abortion to evaluate their pathogenic role in these disorders. Setting: King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: Between January 2004 and June 2005, a prospective study was carried out on 20 women with unexplained infertility (group A), 20 women with recurrent first trimester abortion (group B), compared to 20 healthy women as control (group C). IgA, IgM, and IgG against phospholipids were detected in the sera of all cases.Results: It was found that IgA, IgM, and IgG levels were significantly higher in groups A, B when compared to group C. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was positive in 2 (10%) cases in group A and in 3 (15%) cases in group B but it was negative in group C. Lupus anticoagulant (LA), tested by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), was prolonged in 4 (20%) group A and 3(15%) cases in group B.Conclusion: From the results of this study it can be concluded that reproductive performance may be affected by the abnormal presence of antiphospholipid auto-antibodies.