urticaria and infertility

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Found this the other day.... Anthea

More recent research has focused on how the invading endometrial cells

survive eradication by the immune system or accomplish neovascularization

(formation of new blood vessels). Numerous studies implicate dysfunction of

the immune system in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.[10] Research

suggests that migrating endometrial cells can implant only in women who have

deficient cell-mediated immunity. These women appear to lack the normal

cellular immunity that destroys transplanted endometrial cells and prevents

them from implanting.[11]

Women with endometriosis also have been found to have increased generalized

B-cell function and abnormal humoral immunity. Endometriosis is associated

with the formation of autoantibodies to endometrial tissue.[12] The

peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis also has been shown to

contain multiple growth factors and cytokines, which may stimulate the

growth of endometrial implants. These substances may create an environment

that is toxic to sperm or embryos, providing a possible explanation for the

well-documented association between endometriosis and infertility.[13]

More recently, researchers have speculated that environmental chemotoxins,

such as 2,3,7,8-tetra-chloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; often called dioxin),

may contribute to endometriosis. Evidence suggests that TCDD and dioxin-like

compounds may be linked to the development of endometriosis in humans[14]

and monkeys.[15] Chemotoxins have been associated with decreases in human

sperm count and fertility rates, and an increased risk of testicular,

prostate, and breast cancer.[16] Dioxin is among the environmental toxins

known to affect the immune and reproductive systems. Exposure to TCDD or

dioxin-like compounds has been shown to disrupt both immune function[17] and

the endocrine system, leading to reproductive toxicity.[18,19]

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