Evaluation of a simplified adenosine triphosphate release cytotoxicity test for the detection of sperm antibodies in human serum.
The adenosine triphosphate release cytotoxicity test (ARCT) is an objective method for the detection of cytotoxic sperm antibodies in serum providing measurements without the bias of microscopic estimation. The procedure has been simplified by testing only one serum dilution and calculating the "sperm toxicity index". The latter is closely correlated with the sperm cytotoxic titer. Immunoglobulin class determination of 32 sera with sperm cytotoxic activity was performed by means of the indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR test) and the indirect immunobead (IB) test, and revealed that all sera were positive for IgG, 17% for IgM and 20% for IgA. Of 32 sera without sperm cytotoxic activity, 19% contained sperm specific IgG, 6% had IgM class antibodies belong mainly to the IgG class since the results of the ARCT and the indirect MAR test for IgG are closely correlated. The ARCT appears to be useful as a simple and objective method for the detection and quantitation of cytotoxic antisperm antibodies.
Hinting
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, State University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Vermeulen
L
L
Comhaire
F
F
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003298:Coombs Test; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D007246:Infertility / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate