Reproductive Outcomes and General Health in Women with High Natural Killer Cell Levels

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in reproductive failure has been investigated extensively, but the topic remains controversial and poorly understood. NK cells are known to play an important protective role in cancer and infection, but the implications of high NK cell levels have not been studied with respect to these diseases. This study aimed to identify any differences in reproductive outcomes as well as general health and disease between women with high and normal NK cell parameters.

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A blessing and a curse: is high NK cell activity good for health and bad for reproduction?

Few topics in recent reproductive medicine have been the subject of as much controversy, media attention and passionate debate as natural killer (NK) cells and their role in reproductive failure. The question of whether elevated NK cell levels are a cause of infertility and pregnancy loss, and whether they provide a potential target for therapy to improve reproductive outcomes, lacks a definitive answer. It is clear, however, that a significant number of women with reproductive failure have abnormal NK cell parameters reflecting high immunological activity.

Amongst all the debate, the wider implications of NK cell overactivity – and attempts to suppress it – have not yet been considered. The literature suggests that although elevated NK cell activity may not be conducive to reproduction, it could in fact be beneficial in other areas of health and disease such as cancer and infection. Further research is needed to determine whether this hypothesis holds true in women with NK cell-related reproductive failure.

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Enough! Stop the arguments and get on with the science of natural killer cell testing

Natural killer cell testing is currently practised widely, and there are studies indicating potential benefit in terms of targeting women with repeated reproductive failure for immune therapy. This may be a better approach than empirical immune therapy without any investigation. More and better studies are needed before such an approach can be fully endorsed.

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Sperm DNA fragmentation abnormalities in men from couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

In this retrospective study, between 2008 and 2013, couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage (≥3 first trimester miscarriages) were investigated comprehensively for known causes (karyotype, uterine, antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombophilia) and also by semen analysis, including DNA fragmentation [sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA)]. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS software with significance taken as P < 0.05.

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