Background and Aims

The relevance of antiphospholipid (aPL), antibodies in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) is debated. There are several studies regarding this topic but to date none of them evaluated the specific role of aPL antibodies in the context of IVF with donor oocytes.

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and clinical association of aPL antibodies on women undergoing first oocyte donation fertility treatment.

Methods

Eighty consecutive women who underwent IVF with donor oocytes were prospectivelly studied in a fertility centre. Plasma levels of classical (anticardiolipin antibody IgG/IgM, anti-β2-glycoprotein I IgG/IgM) and non-classical (anti-β2-glycoprotein I IgA, aPS/PT IgG/IgM and anti-anexine V IgG/IgM) antiphospholipid antibodies were measured by ELISA method. IVF and pregnancy outcomes were assessed.

Results

In the studied cohort 13,75% (11/80) were positive or in grey zone for aPL antibodies, 6,25% (5/80) were positive for non-classical aPL antibodies and only 7.5% (6/80) for classic aPL antibodies. IVF and pregnancy outcomes was described for aPLs positive patient compared to aPL negative population. Although live birth rate was similar in both groups, misscarriage rate in APL+ was 35% compared to 16% in APL- population. Pregnancy complications ocurred in 14% of APL+ vs 2% in APL- group.

Conclusions

Despite the low prevalence of this or aPL antibodies in this cohort, the presence of non-conventional aPL antibodies was associated with adverse IVF and pregnancy outcomes.The testing of non-conventional aPL antibodies might be useful to identify a group of patients that could benefit of specific treatment.