Relevance of endoglin, IL-1α, IL-1β and anti-ovarian antibodies in females with multiple sclerosis

Few studies support the concept of reduced fertility in females with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently we reported on reduced serum levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) in reproductive-age females with MS, suggestive of reduced ovarian reserve. The cause for this observation is not evident and remains speculative. The aim of the study is to examine possible immunological mechanisms interfering with fertility, as well as ovarian reserve that might affect the reproductive potential in women with MS. ELISA experiments were done to detect anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA), endoglin and interleukin (IL)-1 alpha/-1 beta in sera of 85 MS females, including 15 women with known low AMH level as a marker of ovarian reserve, compared to 63 healthy controls. Groups did not differ with respect to age, smoking habits, BMI, and use of oral contraceptives. MS females showed significantly increased endoglin values compared to healthy controls. Remarkable, the highest endoglin values were found in subjects with low AMH. AOA were neither detectable in MS patients nor control subjects. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta levels did not differ between groups. Our data established no relevance of IL-1 alpha/-1 beta or AOA in ovarian insufficiency/dysfunction but suggests the involvement of endoglin in RRMS. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.