Adverse effects of human leukocyte antigen-DR sharing on fertility: A cohort study in a human isolate Article

Ober, CL, Hauck, WW, Kostyu, DD et al. (1985). Adverse effects of human leukocyte antigen-DR sharing on fertility: A cohort study in a human isolate . 44(2), 227-232. 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)48742-x

cited authors

  • Ober, CL; Hauck, WW; Kostyu, DD; O'Brien, E; Elias, S; Simpson, JL; Martin, AO

fiu authors

abstract

  • To elucidate further the reproductive effects of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sharing among spouses, we have been investigating prospectively the relationship between HLA-A, -B, and -DR sharing and reproductive outcome in the Hutterites, a religious isolate that proscribes contraception. For the first time the reproductive effects of HLA-DR sharing in a fertile population is reported in this article. Median intervals from marriage to first through fifth births were longer among couples who shared more than one HLA-A, -B, or -DR antigen. Longer intervals were associated with increased spontaneous abortion rates among couples who shared HLA-DR antigens (27%), compared with couples who shared only HLA-A, or -B antigens (9%) and couples who shared no antigens (12%). Median completed family sizes were 5.0, 8.5, and 8.0 among the groups, respectively. However, some couples who shared HLA-DR antigens experienced no spontaneous abortions, despite ten or more pregnancies. Therefore, although HLA-DR compatibility, per se, is not deleterious, our data suggest a potentially important role for undefined HLA-linked genes in normal pregnancy.

publication date

  • January 1, 1985

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 227

end page

  • 232

volume

  • 44

issue

  • 2