Patient's question:
What are the causes of immunological infertility? I've been married for several years, but I still don't have any children. I'm very anxious myself, not knowing if it's my problem. I asked my husband to get checked, but he refuses. I'm afraid my condition will worsen.Doctor's answer:
Immune infertility occurs when anti-zona pellucida antibodies cover the sperm receptors located on the zona pellucida, preventing sperm from recognizing their own receptors and making it difficult for them to fertilize the egg. The zona pellucida can stabilize the surface structure of the zona pellucida, thereby resisting the dissolving effect of sperm acrosome enzymes on the zona pellucida, making it impossible for sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida. Once fertilized, the egg, due to the stability of the zona pellucida structure, becomes sealed within the zona pellucida and cannot implant.Immune infertility is caused by the absorption of sperm and its antigens in the vagina and cervix by macrophages and intraepithelial Langerhans cells. The sperm antigens then trigger an autoimmune response with helper T lymphocytes, leading to the production and activation of autoimmune active cells. These cells are transported through the bloodstream to the reproductive tract to attack sperm and reduce their viability.