Matched control study of efficacy of lymphocyte immunotherapy in donor oocyte recipients to support or refute the concept of need for histocompatibility antigen sharing of the couple for benefits

Purpose: To determine if lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) improves outcome in recalcitrant donor oocyte recipients. If LIT was found to be similarly effective in this group, the theory of shared maternal/paternal histocompatibility antigens would seem less plausible because the donor oocyte introduces another group of histocompatibility antigens. Methods: Donor oocyte recipients with a history of failure to conceive despite at least two previous ETs using donor oocytes were given the option of having LIT. They were matched with the very next recipient who declined LIT therapy. Lymphocyte immunotherapy using the male partner's lymphocytes was given two weeks before transfer and twice more if pregnant. Results: Only three controls delivered versus recipients treated with LIT. Conclusions: The fact that benefit from LIT extended to oocyte recipients challenges the concept that lymphocyte immunotherapy is most beneficial for couples sharing histocompatibility antigens.