Menstrual and Reproductive Function in Women with HIV-infection and Antioxidant Vitamins Deficiency

Reproductive age women proportion with HIV-infection increasing, but relationship of antioxidant deficiency and reproductive disorders in this category of patients remain unclear. Objective: To identify antioxidant vitamins deficiency and frequency of reproductive disorders interrelations in women with HIV-infection. 53 women of reproductive age with HIV-infection were divided for 4 groups according to blood serum vitamins concentration: 36 women α-tocopherol level less than 12 μmol/L; 17 women α-tocopherol level in the range 12-24 μmol/L; 35 women with retinol level less than 1.05 μmol/L and 18 women retinol level in the range 1.05-2.8 μmol/L. Spectral fluorofotometric methods were used. Statistical analysis was performed by parametric and non-parametric methods. High incidence of menstrual disorders (63%), infertility (36.1%), and luteal phase deficiency was found in the group of women with HIV-infection and α-tocopherol deficiency. Elevated levels of primary lipid peroxidation (LP) products diene conjugates, with the absence of significant differences in the content of the thiobarbituric acid reactants in this group were registered. The results obtained showed a close relationship of α-tocopherol deficiency and disorders of the reproductive system in women with HIV-infection. It is a significant reason to recommend including of antioxidant drugs in HIV-women patients of complex pathogenetic therapy to regulate adequately their reproductive function and possibly to preserve reproductive ability in these women.