Anti-sperm antibodies and immune subfertility.
A brief description of immune subfertility, caused by antibodies directed against sperm-specific glycoproteins in the sperm membrane, is given. Observations during the last few years have indicated that this immune disease is primarily caused by anti-sperm antibodies of the IgA class, and recent results from vasovasostomized men lend further support to this theory. Detection of anti-sperm antibodies should therefore include characterization of the immunoglobulin class of antibodies. In male patients this can be achieved by direct mixed anti-globulin reaction test or immunobead-binding test on the patients' spermatozoa, and in female patients cervical mucus can be tested by indirect versions of the same tests.
Hjort
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Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Meinertz
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D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007246:Infertility / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G