Interactive FAQs Unexplained Infertility Question: I am 23 years old and have never been pregnant. My husband and I have been attempting pregnancy for two years. I have been told I tested positive for anti ovarian anyibodies. Can you tell me in what way this is causing me not to be able to conceive. I would also like to know what can be done about this to increase my chances of conceiving. Lynn A. Indiana Answer: Tests for anti-ovarian antibody are relatively new. Antibodies are protein markers that attach to cells and cause the immune system to break apart the cell (cell lysis) or mark them for destruction by white blood cells. When these antibodies attach to an invading bacteria or a virus, the result is the mainstay of the body's defence mechanisms against infectious disease. Unfortunately, antibodies may be inappropriately produced that attach to normal cells, such as cells in the ovary. These antibodies can attach to the ovarian follicle granulosa cells or even to the zona pellucida, a protein barrier that surrounds the egg. We don't really understand why the body produces ovarian antibodies. They appear to be more common after infection, or ovarian surgery. When these tests became available a short while ago, physicians ran this test on many patients to determine if certain groups of patients were more likely to demonstrate antibodies. They found that women who had undergone premature menopause (POF) or had poor ovarian response to ovulation induction were more likely to have abnormal tests. Unfortunately, only one published study has addressed treatment for anti-ovarian antibodies. This study reported two pregnancies when POF patients were treated with a 16 day course of Medrol (steroids) who had a resumption of menses and became pregnant. Larger studies addressing a broad variety of clinical conditions is necessary before the clinical benefit of this evaluation is understood. Dr. Perloe FAQ archives: IVF PCOS Clomiphene Ovulation Ovulation Induction Injections Age Related Infertility Endometriosis Donor Egg Donor Sperm Male Factor Infertility Fallopian Tube Reanastomosis Tubal Infertility Endometrial Factor Miscellaneous Return to the IVF Homepage This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 2003 by IVF.com, Atlanta, GA, USA.