Surgically obtained sperm, and risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia

Abstract

The cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown, although a partner-specific immune maladaptation might be involved. We compared rates of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension in women whose genital tracts had and had not been exposed to their partner's sperm cells. Our aim was to ascertain whether or not protective partner-specific immune-tolerance is conveyed by sperm cells, rather than seminal fluid. Our findings indicate that, compared with women exposed to their partner's sperm cells and seminal fluid—ie, those treated with in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm—the risk of hypertension was doubled and the risk of pre-eclampsia tripled in those never exposed to their partner's sperm—ie, those treated with ICSI done with surgically obtained sperm.