A comparison of methods of screening for sperm antibodies in the serum of women with otherwise unexplained infertility.
Sera from 102 women with infertility due to a variety of causes and from 40 pregnant women were studied for the presence of antisperm factors. Three techniques were used: sperm microagglutination, sperm immobilization, and an indirect immunofluorescent technique for detection of sperm-bound immuno-globulins. There was no correlation between the results obtained using these three different techniques. Of the three, only the results of sperm immobilization tests correlated with primary unexplained infertility. The sperm microagglutination test appeared to measure nonspecific factors. Methanol fixation of spermatozoa used in the indirect immunofluorescent technique apparently resulted in nonspecific binding of immunoglobulins. When fresh spermatozoa were used no binding of immunoglobulin to spermatozoa could be demonstrated. The nature and location of the antigen(s) involved remain to be determined.
D000906:Antibodies; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013073:Sperm Agglutination; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M