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Case Report
 

Human Seminal Plasma Allergy and Successful Pregnancy
 

L Ferré-Ybarz,1 M Basagaña,1 B Coroleu, 2 B Bartolomé, 3 A Cisteró-Bahima 1

1 Allergy Department and
2 Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
3 Investigation and Development–Aristegui Laboratories, Bilbao, Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2006; Vol. 16(5): 314-316
 

 Abstract


Human seminal plasma allergy in women is an uncommon phenomenon. A great variety of reactions ranging from local swelling to generalized systemic reactions have been described, and local symptoms have often been misdiagnosed as chronic vulvovaginitis. Sperm barriers, such as condoms, are the most widely advocated
method for avoiding these reactions; however this is not acceptable to couples who wish to have children. We present a case of a woman with human seminal plasma allergy who became pregnant after a fourth cycle of artificial insemination. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting showing an IgE binding band at 28kDa in the husband’s seminal fluid identified the culprit allergen. Artificial insemination is an effective way to achieve a pregnancy in patients with seminal plasma allergy.

Key words: Human seminal plasma allergy. Artificial insemination.