Antisperm Antibodies

The antisperm antibodies in the female possibly adversely affects fertilization , embryo quality and pregnancy rates .

Cervical hostility includes a variety of disorders including anatomical , hormonal and immunological conditions . In most cases it is diagnosed by the PCT (Post Coital Test).

Cervical mucus can become hostile to spermatozoa and impair ascent in the uterus . Mucus is said to be hostile if the spinnbarkeit appearance is abnormal during the infertility work-up . Mucus secretion and viscosity mab be reduced during prolonged estrogen deficiency , or with infection caused by Trichomonas and Chlamydia .

Antibodies can impair sperm motility and function by causing :

-Agglutination ;

-Reduced or total loss of motility ;

-Impaired cervical mucus penetration ;

-Alterations in capacitation and acrosomal reaction ;

-Inefficient sperm-egg fusion .

The primary indication for testing antisperm antibodies is the abnormal PCT .

The test should be done :

-when there is a history of infection ;

-local injury of the testis ;

-seminal analysis revealing sperm agglutination or poor PCT ;

-very early pregnancy wastage .

Diagnosis :

-Plasma titers of antibodies found during infertility work-up ;

-IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies in the cervical mucus ;

-Non-progresive motility of spermatozoa in cervical mucus ;

-Poor PCT ;

-Huhner test or Kremer test ;

-In vitro penetration test .

Clinical effects :

-Interference with sperm production ;

-Restriction of sperm penetration and survival ;

-Reduction of sperm motility ;

-Damage of the integrity of sperm plasma membrane ;

-Interference with the sperm capacitation and / or acrosome reaction ;

-Interference with sperm/zona pellucida binding and / or penetration ;

-Inhibition of early cleavage of fertilized eggs ;

-Suppression in the development of the embryo ;

-Interference with the implantation process .

Laboratory Tests for Antisperm Antibodies:

-Sperm Mucus Contact Test ;

-Franklin and Duke’s test ;

-Kibricks’ gelatin agglutination test (GAT) ;

-Tray agglutination test (TAT) ;

-Mixed agglutination reaction (MAR) ;

-Radio labeled antiglobulin assay ;

-Panning procedure ;

-Immunobead test (IBT) ;

-Indirect IBT ;

-Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ;

-Anti-sperm antibody latex agglutination test ;

-Anti-sperm abtobody latex agglutination test Ig typing ;

-Anti-sperm antibody hemagglutination test ;

Flow cytometry (FCM);

-Immunofluorescence test .

Treatment :

1.Occlusion therapy ;

2.Condom therapy ;

3.Enzyme therapy ;

4.Immunosuppresion ; pregnancy rates of 22% where only the men were treated and 14% when only women were treated ;

5.Immunization with partners lymphocytes

6.In vitro sperm processing ;

7.Intrauterine insemination (IUI) ; the pregnancy rates vary from 23 to 40 percent ;

8.In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IFV and ET) ;

9.Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT) ;

10.Artificial reproductive technique (ART).

Antisperm antibodies may also occur in proven fertile men .

Johannesburg

South Africa