Bovine serum albumin contained in culture medium used in artificial insemination is an important anaphylaxis risk factor.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cause of the anaphylactic reaction after a standard artificial insemination process in a patient diagnosed with asthma. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Residencia Sanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia, Spain) and University of the Basque Country (Vitoria, Spain). PATIENT(S) A 30-year-old woman with a previous medical history compatible with respiratory allergy who suffered an anaphylactic reaction after an artificial insemination with spermatozoids in capable medium (Upgraded B2 INRA medium; Laboratories CCD, Paris, France). INTERVENTION(S) Cutaneous tests and specific IgE levels to inhalant allergens, grass and Olea pollens, and insemination medium were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Specific IgE levels to mammal epithelia and bovine serum albumin (BSA). RESULT(S) Skin prick tests were positive for inhalant allergens such as mites, cat, dog, horse, and rabbit epithelia, grasses and Olea pollens, and the insemination medium. The beta-lactamic tests were negative. The determination of specific IgE demonstrated positive values to mammal epithelia and mammal serum albumins including BSA. CONCLUSION(S) We report a case of an anaphylactic reaction to the BSA included in the insemination culture medium induced by a subclinical sensitivity to serum albumins of mammal epithelia. A previous testing with the medium is recommended and specific testing might be needed in women who have a history of animal epithelium allergies.