Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Bulent Urman
Turkey
Review Article
Ovarian Function and Reproductive Outcomes of the Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the Strategies to Preserve their Fertility
Author(s): Ozgur Oktem, Elvin Aydin and Bulent Urman
Ozgur Oktem, Elvin Aydin and Bulent Urman
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic auto-immune systemic disease that mainly affects women at reproductive age. Unfortunately, reproductive function of the young female patients suffering from this disease is commonly compromised by different etiologies. First, ovarian reserve is diminished even in the presence of mild disease suggesting a direct impact of the disease itself on ovarian function possibly due to ovarian involvement in the form of autoimmune oophoritis. Second, SLE patients with severe manifestations of the disease are treated with alkylating chemotherapy agent cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide and other drugs of alkylating category have the highest gonadotoxicity. Therefore SLE patients exposed to cyclophosphamide have a much higher risk of developing infertility and premature ovarian failure than do the counterparts who are treated with other less toxic tr.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9899.1000220