Effect of Anti-thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies on Assisted Reproductive Technologies Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.
- 2Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
Background
Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs) are common among women of reproductive age, especially in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Their impact on early embryological outcomes remains unclear. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been proposed to overcome possible adverse effects of TPOAbs in the follicular fluid.Aim
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of TPOAbs on fertilisation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and to compare fertilisation between IVF and ICSI in TPOAb-positive women.Settings and design
The study design was a retrospective cohort study.Materials and methods
Data were retrieved from institutional records. 779 women undergoing their first IVF or split cycle at Herlev Hospital between December 2019 and November 2024 were included.Statistical analysis used
Logistic regression was used to assess fertilisation and blastocyst outcomes. All models were adjusted for age, body mass index, sperm type, sperm quality and smoking status.Results
No significant differences were observed in fertilisation or blastocyst development between TPOAb-positive and negative women undergoing IVF. In the split group, TPOAb-positive women had higher fertilisation with ICSI than IVF; however, this difference was not significant (odds ratio [OR]: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-2.90). Among TPOAb-negative women, ICSI was associated with a significantly higher fertilisation rate (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.20-1.87), whereas the increase in blastocyst formation was not significant.Conclusion
Fertilisation did not differ between TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative women undergoing ART. Although ICSI was associated with higher fertilisation rates, this effect was observed irrespective of TPOAb status. The benefit of ICSI likely reflects technique-related advantages rather than modulation by thyroid autoimmunity. Prospective studies are warranted.
Related
- Redefining success in assisted reproductive technologies: the Embryo-Maternal-Offspring Continuum Framework
- Thrombotic Complications in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Clinical Management—A Narrative Review
- Association of thyroid peroxidase antibodies with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer in Graves' disease: a retrospective cohort study.
- Association of pre-treatment sleep characteristics with reproductive outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective cohort study
- The potential modulating role of thyroid cysts on the association between anti–thyroid peroxidase antibodies and subclinical hypothyroidism
BibTeX
@article{stolan2026effect,
title = {{Effect of Anti-thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies on Assisted Reproductive Technologies Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.}},
author = {Nora Nerdrum Stølan and Pernille Fog Svendsen and Anna Klajnbard and Nina Freiesleben Mørch},
journal = {Journal of human reproductive sciences},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_50_26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923821},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of Anti-thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies on Assisted Reproductive Technologies Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AU - Nora Nerdrum Stølan
AU - Pernille Fog Svendsen
AU - Anna Klajnbard
AU - Nina Freiesleben Mørch
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of human reproductive sciences
DO - 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_50_26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923821
AB - Background Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs) are common among women of reproductive age, especially in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Their impact on early embryological outcomes remains unclear. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been proposed to overcome possible adverse effects of TPOAbs in the follicular fluid.Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of TPOAbs on fertilisation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and to compare fertilisation between IVF and ICSI in TPOAb-positive women.Settings and design The study design was a retrospective cohort study.Materials and methods Data were retrieved from institutional records. 779 women undergoing their first IVF or split cycle at Herlev Hospital between December 2019 and November 2024 were included.Statistical analysis used Logistic regression was used to assess fertilisation and blastocyst outcomes. All models were adjusted for age, body mass index, sperm type, sperm quality and smoking status.Results No significant differences were observed in fertilisation or blastocyst development between TPOAb-positive and negative women undergoing IVF. In the split group, TPOAb-positive women had higher fertilisation with ICSI than IVF; however, this difference was not significant (odds ratio [OR]: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-2.90). Among TPOAb-negative women, ICSI was associated with a significantly higher fertilisation rate (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.20-1.87), whereas the increase in blastocyst formation was not significant.Conclusion Fertilisation did not differ between TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative women undergoing ART. Although ICSI was associated with higher fertilisation rates, this effect was observed irrespective of TPOAb status. The benefit of ICSI likely reflects technique-related advantages rather than modulation by thyroid autoimmunity. Prospective studies are warranted.
SN - 0974-1208
SN - 1998-4766
ER -