Abstract
Part II of this article continues the presentation of evidence in support of the major impact of abnormal autoimmune function on human female reproduction. After concentrating on nonorgan-specific autoimmune conditions in Part I of this series, this article addresses organ-specific autoimmune conditions that cause female infertility. Based on literature searches, autoimmunity to endocrine organs appears to represent a significant cause of female infertility. This autoimmunity can be directed at both nonsteroid- and steroid-producing endocrine organs and can present as single-organ disease or in the form of multiple autoimmune endocrinopathies. As with nonorgan-specific autoimmunity, organ-specific autoimmunity demonstrates typical presentations, which include familial occurrence, genetic predisposition, commonality of occurrence with other autoimmune conditions and transition through pre-/subclinical stages on the way to overt clinical expression. In contrast to nonorgan-specific autoimmune conditions, organ-specific diseases often do not express a cyclical appearance pattern since glandular function, against which the autoimmune response is usually directed, has been exhausted. Particularly in cases where glandular function is affected by the autoimmune attack, the diagnosis of the condition is easier than in many nonorgan-specific autoimmune diseases, since it can be based on organ function and does not necessarily require autoimmune laboratory markers, which in nonorgan- and organ-specific diseases are often only poorly defined.