Decreased Frequency of CD8+HLA-G+ T Cell in the Peripheral Blood of Primary Unexplained Infertile Females.

Most of the findings have focused on the importance of CD4+HLA-G+ and CD8+HLA-G+ regulatory T cells (Treg) during pregnancy. It has been demonstrated that these HLA-G+ T cell subsets could induce maternal immune tolerance against semi-allogenic conceptus during pregnancy. There are only a few experiments regarding the Treg cells in the context of unexplained infertility (UI). Thirty-five participants including 18 primary unexplained infertile and 17 fertile females were enrolled in this study. A total of 3-5 ml blood samples were taken, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated by using Ficoll. Using a flow cytometer, the frequency of CD4+HLA-G+ and CD8+ HLA-G+ T cells was assessed in the peripheral blood samples of primary unexplained infertile and fertile females. Our results showed that the frequency of CD8+HLA-G+ Treg cells was significantly lower in primary unexplained infertile females than fertile females (P = 0.048). Although the frequency of CD4+HLA-G+ Treg cells in the primary unexplained infertile females was lower than fertile females, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.25). Regarding the important role of CD8+HLA-G+ Treg cells during pregnancy and its decrease in females with primary UI, it seems that reduced CD8+ HLA-G+ Treg cells could be a leading immunological factor in the context of infertility. Nevertheless, more researches are needed in this field.

Differences between infertile women with and without PCOS in terms of anxiety, coping styles, personality traits, and social adjustment: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify differences in the level of anxiety, stress coping ways, personality traits, and social adjustments in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to those without PCOS. METHODS: In a case-control study, 257 infertile of women were recruited at Fatemeh Azahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center (Babol, Iran) from May 2016 to December 2017. A total of 135 women with PCOS and 122 women without PCOS completed the following questionnaires; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and Bell's Adjustment Inventory. RESULTS: Infertile women with PCOS had a higher mean score of trait anxiety than those without PCOS (46.19 ± 5.29 vs 44.49 ± 5.13, P = 0.004), but no difference was observed for state anxiety. The two groups did not have any significant differences in the mean scores of social adjustment and ways of coping, except for social support and problem-focused coping which were higher in the PCOS group. The PCOS personality traits of PCOS infertile women were not different regarding neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness. The only exception was that infertile PCOS women had a significantly higher mean score of openness to experience than those without PCOS (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians could take advantage of the psychological differences of infertile women with PCOS and without PCOS for better management of PCOS in infertility settings; despite higher levels of anxiety they are more likely to cope with stress and are welcome to new experiences.