Special Precautions/Comments:

Method: Referral test; Sheffield Teaching Hospital

Interferences: None known.

Interpretation: Results are reported as Weak Positive, Positive or Negative for each organ specificity. A test result should not be considered of diagnostic value in itself, but used in conjunction with details of the patient’s clinical symptoms, clinical history and any other available data to produce an overall clinical diagnosis. Absence of antibody does not rule out an autoimmune endocrinopathy

Additional Information:

Indication: Autoimmune Premature ovarian failure.

Background Information: Cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis are the targets of autoimmune attack against steroid producing cells. These include 17 alpha-hydroxylase (P450c17), 21 alpha-hydroxylase (P450c21) and cholesterol desmolase (P450scc) enzyme. Antibodies that react with more than one of the 3 tissues on a QUAD immunofluorescent slide (containing adrenal, ovarian and testicular tissue) react with enzymes common to the hormonal synthetic pathways and are generally termed “steroid cell antibodies”. Several rare autoimmune endocrinopathy syndromes (PGA1, PGA2) are associated with these antibodies along with idiopathic Addison’s disease, premature ovarian failure, premature testicular failure and rare autoimmune pituitary failure. Ovarian antibodies are directed against P450scc enzyme. These antibodies may be cross-reactive with other steroid cell antigens

References: Husebye ES, Lovas K. Immunology of Addison’s disease and premature ovarian failure. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2009. 38(2):389-405. PRU Handbook of Autoimmunity. 4th Edition. 2007. Tuihy VK, Altuntas CZ. Autoimmunity and premature ovarian failure. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007. 19(4):366-369. Luborsky J. Ovarian autoimmune disease and ovarian autoantibodies. Journal of Womens Health and Gender-Based Medicine. 2002. 11(7):585-599.

See Also: Endocrine antibodies; Adrenal antibodies