Expression of thyroid antigens in the female reproductive system

Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has been linked to fertility disorders and pregnancy complications, even in euthyroid women. However, the exact pathophysiological mechanism underlying this association is not fully understood. This study seeks to investigate the expression of thyroid antigens within the human female reproductive system, potentially identifying targets for thyroid antibodies. Human biopsies of endometrium and follicular granulosa cells were collected and thyroperoxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG) expression was evaluated in these tissues by immunohistochemistry. Results showed, for the first time, the expression of TG protein and confirmed the presence of thyroid TPO in human endometrium and granulosa cells. Results suggest that TPO antibodies (TPOAbs) and TG antibodies (TGAbs) could interact with TPO and TG expressed in the reproductive system in patients with positive thyroid antibodies, thereby disrupting the function of TPO and TG and generating an inflammatory response, leading to fertility disorders and pregnancy complications.