Antibodies to spermatozoa. XII. The critical performance of the Gelatin Agglutination Test (GAT).
The Gelatin Agglutination Test for detection of sperm antibodies was critically studied and evaluated. This fundamental technique for the detection of sperm antibodies was now modified in a number of details. The new procedure, termed GAT-II, is more convenient, economical, and reliable than the older form of this procedure; the volumes used are half as much, thus using less serum and less antigen, the mixtures are prepared within each Kibrick tube, thus requiring fewer transfer steps, and the foam problem is prevented, thus making observation more accurate. Secondly, an extensive study was made of the effect of the time of incubation in this procedure, comparing 30, 60, and 120 minutes for each test mixture. It was found that only 7 of the 50 tested sera (14%) showed a positive result at 30 minutes, although all 50 were positive at 120 minutes. Various details of this sort must be carefully considered, in order to make this test fulfill its potential and have maximum reliability for clinical significance.
Shulman
S
S
Sperm Antibody Laboratory, Fertility Antibody Diagnostics, Inc., New York, N.Y. 10025.
Moskovljevic
P M
PM
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D005780:Gelatin