Antisperm antibodies and lymphocyte subsets in semen--not a simple relationship.
The significance of white blood cells in the ejaculate remains a matter of controversy. Several authors have suggested that such cells are important in the modulation of an antisperm antibody response, i.e. a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic to helper/inducer T cells may prevent the development of antisperm antibodies. In order to examine this relationship further we have documented the white blood cell types, with emphasis on the T-lymphocyte populations, in the ejaculates of men from infertile couples with and without antisperm antibodies; the latter group was divided further into two groups--vasovasostomized men and idiopathic men. All seven of the men without antisperm antibodies had a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells to helper/inducer T cells in the ejaculate. However, only in some of the men with antibodies was there a predominance of T-helper/inducer cells. It is clear that the relationship between antisperm antibodies and seminal leucocytes is therefore not as straightforward as has been proposed.
Barratt
C L
CL
Harris Birthright Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, U.K.
Harrison
P E
PE
Robinson
A
A
Cooke
I D
ID
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D014669:Vasovasostomy
D000906:Antibodies