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Infertility is a common condition that affects many couples and individuals across the world. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) like In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are a beacon of hope for such individuals. But what if these ARTs fail to work for you?
Lymphocyte immunization therapy was developed as an advanced fertility treatment to address recurrent miscarriages in women, which a standard IVF treatment may not be able to help with. This article explores the meaning of LIT treatment in IVF; keep reading to learn more.
What Is LIT?
Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy (LIT) is a cutting-edge fertility technique that can increase the pregnancy success rates in women are experiencing infertility and recurrent problems after conceiving.
LIT is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for fertility. Research shows that LIT can significantly improve the pregnancy and live birth rates for women who are experiencing unexplained recurrent miscarriages.
How LIT Works?
Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy involves injecting the intended mother with lymphocytes of the intended father to stir an immune response in the body of the female. Since the embryo and other pregnancy tissues contain the genes of both the mother and the father, the mother’s body can perceive them as foreign objects and attack them.
The immune system of the mother plays an important role in the acceptance of the foetus in the mother’s body and maintaining a successful pregnancy. Women who experience recurrent miscarriages may have low leukocyte antibody detection (LAD) levels. LAD is an antibody that is crucial in protecting the pregnancy.
LIT therapy in IVF helps the immune system of the mother build immunologic tolerance to the genetically foreign material in the womb. This interaction results in improved conception rates and a high potential of successful pregnancy.
Who Should Consider LIT?
Women who are dealing with infertility and have had multiple miscarriages are considered ideal patients for lymphocyte immunization therapy. Before recommending LIT for a patient experiencing infertility, a doctor will also consider their age, lifestyle, and medical history to decide whether they are suitable for this therapy or not.
Data suggests that recurrent miscarriages are seen in about 2-5% of the women population and nearly half of these cases have no identifiable cause behind the miscarriage. Recent studies show that LIT is not only an effective treatment method for such women, but also a safe treatment option.
LIT Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a detailed guide on how the LIT procedure works:
1. Intended Father’s Blood Sample Collection
The initial phase of lymphocyte immunization therapy requires the blood sample collection of the intended father. The paternal lymphocytes a type of white blood cell plays a vital role in the body’s immune response of the female.
2. Lymphocyte Isolation
The next step of the LIT therapy involves the isolation of the paternal lymphocytes from the collected blood sample. The isolated lymphocytes are then processed to ensure they are viable before they are injected into the mother as a vaccine.
3. Intended Mother’s Immunization
The intended mother is injected with the prepared lymphocytes; this triggers an immune response inside her body as the paternal lymphocytes are considered foreign objects by her immune system.
4. Regular Monitoring & Follow-Up
A patient may require another round of LIT therapy to ensure an optimal immune response in her body to improve chances of conception. Since the LIT procedure triggers an immune response in the body, it is crucial to monitor the health of the female who received LIT therapy to prevent any complications or side-effects, which are usually mild in severity.
Benefits of Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy
LIT fertility treatment can be extremely beneficial for couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriage. LIT therapy is also an effective and safe with low risks of adverse effects and No side-effects in the long term.
Here are some other benefits of LIT:
1. Increases Chances of Successful Conception
LIT enhances the uterine environment for embryo implantation and significantly improves the chances of conception for women who have had multiple miscarriages. It results in improved foetal development as well.
2. Minimally Invasive
LIT therapy is a minimally invasive procedure. It is relatively safe as it does not involve any hormonal treatments.
3. Compatible With Other Fertility Procedures
LIT is quite compatible with ARTs like IVF and supports a successful pregnancy and live birth by preparing the female’s body.
Risks and Considerations Of LIT
Research has not found any significant lymphocyte immunization therapy side-effects for the patients. In case, there were any side-effects of the treatment, they were resolved quickly. The female receiving lymphocyte immunotherapy may experience swelling, burning sensation, redness, pain, discomfort, or irritation in the vaccinated arm, but these are typically mild in nature.
Blisters at the injection site are likely to occur after the lymphocytes are injected into the female’s arm. Additionally, she may feel a general sense of illness and experience a little rise in temperature as the body’s natural response to the treatment.
