Preliminary study on the changes of ovarian reserve, menstruation, and lymphocyte subpopulation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of childbearing age

Objective The main aim of this study was to investigate the ovarian reserve, menstruation, and lymphocyte subpopulation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of childbearing age. Methods We enrolled 40 SLE patients of childbearing age and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was tested by electrochemiluminescence, and lymphocyte subsets were tested by flow cytometry. Menstruation situation was obtained by interview. Results The AMH level of the SLE group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.001), which was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR (r=-0.316, p=0.047)) and disease activity (SLEDAI (r=-0.338, p=0.033)). The AMH concentration of SLE patients with normal menstruation was higher than those with abnormal menstruation (p<0.001). The percentages of CD4(+) T lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) cells in the SLE group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). However, the percentages of B cells and CD8(+) T lymphocytes in the SLE group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion Decreased AMH and high incidence of abnormal menstruation indicated that autoimmunity activities of SLE can impair the ovarian reserve of female patients. Lymphocytes in SLE patients were in a state of disorder.