Comparison of mixed antiglobulin reaction and direct immunobead test for detection of sperm-bound antibodies in subfertile males.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two methods of detection of surface bound antibodies on spermatozoa from subfertile males.


METHODS
Prospective comparison of direct mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) for immunoglobulin (Ig)G with direct immunobead test (IgG and IgA) applied to spermatozoa from male partners of infertile couples. Circulating unbound antibody measured by tray agglutination test in serum and seminal plasma in a representative proportion.


METHODS
Seminology laboratory.


METHODS
One hundred nine male partners of infertile couples.


RESULTS
Highly significant correlation between direct MAR (IgG) and direct immunobed test (IgG) and between both of these tests and serum unbound antibody measured by tray agglutination test. Highly significant correlation between direct immunobead test (IgA) and seminal plasma unbound antibody measured by tray agglutination test, but no correlation with MAR (IgG).


CONCLUSIONS
Mixed antiglobulin reaction (IgG) is a cheap, quick, and sensitive screening test, but immunobead test (IgA) provides useful additional information on class of antibody on spermatozoa that may be clinically more important.
Rajah
S V
SV
Williamson Laboratory, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Parslow
J M
JM
Howell
R J
RJ
Hendry
W F
WF
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D003298:Coombs Test; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies