Immunology in Assisted Reproduction
At FIV Valencia, we have immunology specialists for patients who require advanced studies to achieve pregnancy: 100% focused on you.
Your immune system plays a surprisingly important role in fertility and pregnancy. Sometimes, the immune system can be overly active or, conversely, not active enough. This can present obstacles to conception or maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
At FIV Valencia, our immunology specialists help identify and manage any immune-system issues that may affect your fertility. Our goal is to provide you with a multidisciplinary approach to your Assisted Reproduction treatment.
Why Immunology Matters in IVF
Immunology is crucial in IVF, because the immune system can affect how an embryo implants and develops:
Embryo Implantation
Maintaining Balance
Immunology Examinations: Your Diagnosis
Our immunology service provides all necessary tests to determine if your immune system is impacting your fertility. Here are the most common immunological tests:
- For Women: We perform tests to detect autoimmune conditions, specific antibodies, and the activity of immune cells that could affect the ability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. These tests help determine if the immune system is contributing to infertility.
- For Men: Men can also be affected by immune-related issues. We conduct tests to detect antibodies that may impair sperm quality or their ability to fertilise an egg.
- For Couples: Sometimes, the interaction between the immune systems of both partners can affect fertility. We perform compatibility tests to see how your immune systems respond to each other, which can identify potential difficulties in embryo implantation or development.
Immunology Treatments in Assisted Reproduction
Based on the results of your immunological tests, our specialised team in immunology and fertility at FIV Valencia can offer various treatments during your Assisted Reproduction journey:
At FIV Valencia, our multidisciplinary team provides a holistic approach to Assisted Reproduction treatments. We personalize each case with the goal of achieving a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Our immunology service is a key part of this individualized diagnosis and treatment process.
- Immune-System Regulation: If the immune system is overly active, treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), corticosteroids, or hydroxychloroquine can help calm the immune response, creating a more welcoming environment for the embryo and supporting its implantation and development.
- Blood-Flow Support: For blood-clotting issues, such as antiphospholipid syndrome, medications like low-dose aspirin or heparin can improve blood flow to the uterus, reducing miscarriage risks.
- Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments: Diet and stress levels can impact the immune system. We offer guidance on making lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and stress-management techniques, to naturally support immune-system health.
- Intralipid Infusions: In some cases, intralipid therapy can be used to modulate the immune system, especially if specific immune cells are overly active. This treatment can improve embryo implantation and reduce miscarriage risk.
- Enhancing Compatibility: If we identify immune-system compatibility issues between partners, we recommend specific treatments to improve the immune system’s tolerance towards the embryo, increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Immunology Costs
The price of immunology services in fertility treatments can vary depending on the complexity of the required tests and treatments. Initial evaluations may include analyses to measure immune-system activity, autoimmune markers, and antibody levels, helping identify immune-system factors affecting fertility.
Based on the findings, recommended treatments may include immunomodulatory therapies, intralipid infusions, or anticoagulant medications.
While there are associated costs, investing in immunological care can significantly enhance the chances of successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy, providing personalized support tailored to each patient.
For detailed pricing information, please refer to our price list.
Immunology
FAQs
Why is immunology important in Assisted Reproduction?
In Assisted Reproduction treatments, immunology is important, because the immune system plays a critical role in embryo implantation and pregnancy progression. An overactive or insufficient immune response can interfere with implantation or lead to early pregnancy loss. Managing these responses improves the chances of a successful fertility treatment.
What kinds of immunological tests are performed during fertility treatments?
Immunological tests may include evaluations of natural killer (NK) cell activity, autoimmune antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, and KIR receptors in women. These markers help identify how the immune system may be affecting implantation and pregnancy.
Can immune-system issues cause repeated IVF failures or miscarriages?
Yes, immune-system issues like an overactive immune response or autoimmune disorders can lead to repeated implantation failures or recurrent miscarriages. Identifying and treating these issues can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
How are immune-system fertility issues treated?
Treatments include immunomodulatory therapies like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, intralipid infusions, and anticoagulant medications to address blood-clotting problems. The specific plan depends on individual needs.
Can lifestyle changes improve immune-system health for fertility?
Yes, changes like adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate rest can positively impact immune-system health, creating a more favourable environment for embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Are immunology tests necessary for all Assisted Reproduction patients?
Not all patients need immunology tests. These are typically recommended for those with repeated IVF failures, recurrent miscarriages, or known immune-system issues. At FIV Valencia, our immunology specialists help determine if these tests are right for you.