Assisted Reproduction Treatment Increases Disease Activity in MS

Hormonal manipulation for infertility may enhance immune function and result in MS relapse.

Assisted reproduction treatment (ART) involving stimulation of ovulation is being used increasingly as a treatment for infertility. The effects on immune function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been determined for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, and estradiol at the concentrations involved in ART. To study these effects, investigators prospectively recruited 16 patients with relapsing–remitting MS who had been trying to conceive naturally for at least 12 months. Disease-modifying therapy had been stopped for at least 15 months. ART included 26 treatments. If a given cycle did not result in a pregnancy, an additional ART cycle could be performed after 4 to 6 months.

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Reviewing Author

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)