Laboratory
Reproductive immunology issues are for the most part in the domain of laboratory diagnostics. As, however, individual facts are still not unambiguously identifiable, even laboratory diagnostics have to rely on exclusion diagnostics.
Next, we will test for possible coagulation disorders. The main point here is to recognise thrombosis risk factors, but the test will also focus on deficiencies in coagulating factors, which can lead to an increased bleeding tendency.
Laboratory diagnostics of possible immune-related infertility factors are categorised into two main groups:
1. Autoimmune risk factors:
2. Alloimmune risk factors:
The humoral and cellular immune function will be examined because an adequately balanced immune function is a decisive factor in a healthy pregnancy. Highly differentiated examinations will allow the pinpointing of activities of specific immune-competent cells (NK cell assay – examines the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells). Other examinations will focus on the predominant TH1/TH2 immune situation. The test will determine the secretion performance of cytokines (immune messengers).
During the second half of each female cycle, immune-competent cells settle in the endometrium. This process is largely controlled by immune-tolerant NK cells. Taking a small tissue sample during the second half of the female cycle will allow testing for these conditions and cells.