Immunoglobulin pattern in women using Lippes loop.

Immunoglobin A M and G were studied among 80 women divided into 4 groups according to the time interval between insertion of a Lippes Loop and collection of sera for assay: 1) control group sera collected before insertion; 2) group A 3 days after insertion; 3) group B 6 months after insertion; and 4) group C 12 months after insertion. Results were: 1) for immunoglobin A the pattern in control group ranged from 90-395 mg/dl group A 115-355 mg/dl group B 145-395 mg/dl and group C 110-355 mg/dl; 2) for immunoglobin M control group was 30-250 mg/dl group A 25-260 mg/dl group B 20-285 mg/dl and group C 200-385 mg/dl; and 3) for immunoglobin G control group was 450-2550 mg/dl group A 50-2500 mg/dl group B 1000-2500 mg/dl and group C 600-2550 mg/dl. The results show that there is elevation in all immunoglobin 12 months after IUD insertion and immunoglobins were elevated not only in the serum but also in the interstitial area and basement membrane of the endometrium. There was an increased incidence of cytotoxic antibodies against lymphocytes in parous women which may explain the greater rate of expulsion of IUDs in nonparous women and which supports the immunologic involvement in IUD function.