There are many delicate factors working in harmony on which fertility often depends. The role is played by hormones, sperm, health and the uterine environment. One obscure factor is the immune system. Immunology is recognised as a crucial element in fertility as well as IVF success. An imbalanced immune response could interfere with conception in some cases. This can help the doctors in designing personalised IVF treatments, thereby improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding immunology and fertility
Immunology is the study of the immune system. It protects our body from pathogens which cause diseases. It is done by identifying and then eliminating the foreign substances. Our immune system protects us from several types of infections and viruses. It acts like a security guard by finding out what belongs to your body and what does not. The immune system faces a challenge during pregnancy. Half of the genetic material of the embryo is carried by itself from the father, which is realised by the body as ‘foreign’. The immune system must adjust to allow the pregnancy to occur. Its role is to protect the mother without affecting the developing embryo. This whole process is known as immune tolerance.
When this immune tolerance fails, many problems can arise, like unexplained infertility, failed implantation, or even early miscarriage. It does not signify that your immune system is bad, but instead that it is responding in a way which is not completely compatible with successful conception.
Immune factors affecting IVF success
Embryos are created not inside, but outside the body in the process of IVF. Embryos are then placed into the uterus. Some patients face recurrent miscarriages or implantation failures, even if the embryos are healthy and even if the process goes smoothly. In some cases, one such hidden cause could be an immune imbalance. A few immune-related mechanisms affecting IVF success —
- Autoimmune disorders – Antibodies can be created by conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid autoimmunity. These antibodies disrupt the levels of the hormones or can even damage the reproductive tissues.
- Immune cells that are overactive – The embryo may be mistakenly identified as a threat by some immune cells, so they release chemicals causing inflammation, which makes it harder for the embryo to implant.
- Uterus inflammation – the receptivity of the uterine lining can be reduced by chronic inflammation. For the embryo, the chronic inflammation can make it less likely to attach and grow.
- Natural killer cells – Natural killer cells are a type of white blood cell. These cells help to protect the body from infection. Even though the research in this area still remains ongoing, excessive NK cell activity inside the uterus can interfere with implantation.
It is significant to know that infertility, which is related to the immune system, is not common for everyone who undergoes IVF. For patients with unexplained pregnancy losses or repeated IVF failures, important clues can be revealed by evaluating the immune system.
Conclusion
When immunology becomes a part of the picture, our team at Dr. Sumita Sofat Hospital recognises that the fertility story of every patient is unique. Our hospital offers a combination of medical excellence and individualised, compassionate care. We offer access to modern diagnostic testing and accurate IVF protocols customised to each case. We focus on holistic health, emotional counselling and nutrition guidance. With IVF, we make parenthood possible.
