Antisperm antibodies in women: variability in antibody levels in serum, mucus, and peritoneal fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To look for patterns of antisperm antibody expression in women by exploring the levels of antisperm antibodies in different body fluids. This was achieved by studying sequential serum samples from individual patients and by comparing the levels of antisperm antibodies in serum from a number of patients with the levels of antisperm antibodies in cervical mucus or peritoneal fluid (PF).


METHODS
Prospective studies were performed on sequential serum samples within a menstrual cycle. Retrospective studies were done to compare antisperm antibodies in serum and mucus or PF. The immunobead assay was used to measure antisperm antibodies in these fluids.


METHODS
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire.


METHODS
A random sample of patients undergoing evaluation for infertility.


RESULTS
The levels of antisperm antibodies in sera drawn from patients at different points in a menstrual cycle stimulated by the presence of exogenous hormones did not change during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Also, in many samples, the antisperm antibody level in serum did not correlate with the antisperm antibody levels in mucus or PF.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that measurement of antisperm antibodies at a single point in time or from a single fluid is not sufficient when evaluating a woman for immunological infertility. The data also suggest that numerous and complex factors contribute to the expression of antisperm antibodies in women.
Stern
J E
JE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756.
Dixon
P M
PM
Manganiello
P D
PD
Brinck-Johnsen
T
T
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000276:immunology*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002996:Clomiphene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins