Reproductive Immunology
Reproductive immunology focuses on how the immune system interacts with pregnancy. While the immune system protects the body by identifying and attacking foreign cells, an embryo is genetically different from the mother. For a pregnancy to occur, the immune system must adapt to tolerate the embryo. If this immune adaptation is impaired, it can lead to difficulty conceiving or miscarriage.
When Might We Suggest Reproductive Immunology? Reproductive immunology may be considered if you have experienced any of the following:
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Previous unsuccessful IVF cycles
- A history of immune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis)
- Placenta-related complications in previous pregnancies, such as pre-eclampsia, premature delivery, or fetal growth restriction
Immune Testing To determine whether immunology treatments could support conception, we conduct several tests, including:
- Screening for auto-immune antibodies: Identifying any immune system issues that could affect pregnancy.
- Natural Killer (NK) Cell Assay: NK cells are white blood cells that protect against infection. Some studies suggest that raised NK cell levels in the blood or endometrium may be linked to IVF failure or recurrent miscarriage.
- TH1/TH2 Intracellular Cytokine Ratios: Cytokines are chemical messengers produced by immune cells. TH2 cytokines are thought to support pregnancy, while TH1 cytokines may inhibit it. A successful pregnancy requires a dominant TH2 cytokine profile.
Immune Treatment If testing shows that immune factors may be affecting your fertility, we offer tailored treatments, which may include:
- Heparin: To moderate blood clotting and the immune response.
- Steroid treatment: To reduce inflammation and regulate the immune response.
- Low-dose aspirin: To help prevent clotting issues.
- Intravenous intralipid infusion: To help modulate immune activity and promote a healthy pregnancy.