Effect of rapid dilution of semen on sperm-bound autoantibodies.
The effect of rapid dilution of autoantibody-positive semen on sperm-bound antibodies was studied in 12 male patients (0-100% IgA and 10-100% IgG). The direct immunobead test (IBT) and the sperm cervical mucus contact (SCMC) test were used to detect sperm-bound antibodies on spermatozoa before and after rapid dilution and swim up in HAM F-10 + 10% human blood serum. All patients tested had normal semen parameters. Sperm-bound antibodies detected after swim-up of semen samples ejaculated into 15 ml HAM F-10 + 10% serum (diluted) did not differ significantly from undiluted samples. Most values were lower (IBT and SCMC) but were not statistically significant. Sperm motility, forward progression, and morphology were statistically improved. Pregnancies resulting from washed semen (diluted) in combination with artificial insemination (AIH) or gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT) took place in spite of antibodies still present on the sperm membrane and can probably be attributed to improved semen quality, minimizing of ovum-sperm distance, and cervical mucus elimination.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tygerberg Hospital, Republic of South Africa.
M L
ML
Windt
R
R
Menkveld
T F
TF
Kruger
J P
JP
van der Merwe
C J
CJ
Lombard
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G