Relationship of epididymal sperm antibodies to their in vitro fertilization capacity in men with congenital absence of the vas deferens.
OBJECTIVE
To test, using the immunobead binding technique, for the presence of antisperm antibodies on epididymal sperm, in epididymal fluid, and in serum of men with congenital absence of the vas deferens. To evaluate the in vitro fertilization (IVF) capacity of human epididymal sperm in the presence of antisperm antibodies.


METHODS
Prospective. At the time of oocyte insemination, sperm from the proximal caput epididymis or vasa efferentia were tested by direct immunobinding technique. The epididymal fluid and serum were tested by indirect immunobinding technique.


METHODS
Center for Reproductive Health, University of California-Irvine.


METHODS
Forty-five patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens participating in the microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and IVF program.


METHODS
Incidence of antisperm antibodies to epididymal sperm and their relationship with IVF results.


RESULTS
Sixteen men (35%) tested positively to the direct immunobead test on epididymal sperm; 7 (16%) were positive in epididymal fluid and 13 (29%) were positive in serum. Five pregnancies (31%) occurred in the positive group of which two were from patients who had sperm binding of 100% for immunoglobulin (Ig)G (all over sperm surface) and 90% (midpiece, tail) and 50% (tail, tiptail), respectively, for IgA. Five pregnancies (18%) were obtained in the negative group. No statistical difference was observed in the overall fertilization rate between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Human epididymal sperm and epididymal fluid retrieved from men with congenital absence of the vas deferens can react positively to immunobead test. However, the presence of antisperm antibodies do not seem to impair the IVF capacity of epididymal sperm.
Patrizio
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, Orange 92668.
Silber
S J
SJ
Ord
T
T
Moretti-Rojas
I
I
Asch
R H
RH
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000002:abnormalities*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G