Maternal/paternal sharing of DQ-Alpha type II histocompatibility antigens not associated with pregnancy outcome following in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET)

To determine if maternal/paternal sharing of DQ alpha major histocompatibility (MHC) type II antigens is associated with reduced pregnancy and implantation rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Prospective study with type II MHC DQ alpha alleles detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology using Perkin Elmer Amyli-type HLA DQ alpha PCR amplification and typing kit. The tests were only performed on patients having their first IVF cycle. No difference was found in clinical pregnancy rates per transfer between those couples sharing DQ alpha I alleles and those who did not (43.7% vs 40%). There were no spontaneous abortions in the group sharing DQ alpha I alleles. Maternal/paternal sharing of DQ alpha I antigens does not reduce fecundity following IVF-ET.