Effects of HeavyMetals on the Immune Reaction of Infertile Patients

Overview

Background.
Heavy metals can negatively influence reproduction because in sensitive persons they are able to alterthe immune reactions including autoantibodies production. The altered immune reaction can then cause infertility.Methods and Results. The in vitro lymphocyte reaction after stimulation with metals, the production of interferon(IFN-gamma) and antisperm antibodies in supernatants after lymphocyte stimulation in patients with infertility andwith the antisperm antibodies present in their serum were investigated. The cause of antisperm antibodies presencewas not determined. The diagnosis of metal intolerance was performed by the proliferation method modified formetals (Melisa®). In supernatants of tissue cultures of lymphocytes without the antigen stimulation and afterstimulation with mercury chloride, the in vitro production of gamma interferon and antisperm antibodies was studiedby Elisa.More than 50 % of patients did not tolerate mercury, iron, aluminium and silver. When the lymphocyte reaction wascompared in patients with and without mercury intolerance we found that lymphocytes of patients with mercuryintolerance produced less gamma interferon and more antisperm antibodies in supernatants after mercury stimulationof lymphocytes.Conclusions. In patients with metal intolerance diagnosed by the Melisa® test, metal ions released from the dentalmaterials can represent a factor, that does not cause infertility but is able to influence it negatively.®

Key words:
metals, immune reaction, infertility, antisperm antibodies, Melisa test.