The effect of immunoglobulins on sperm-migration inhibition in the cervicovaginal secretions of infertile women.
We studied 40 infertile couples in whom cervical hostility was the only known cause of infertility, and 18 fertile women. IgA, IgG and IgM together with alpha-2-macroglobulin and albumin were measured in the cervicovaginal secretions and serum using the Mancini radial diffusion technique. IgA and IgG were present in the cervicovaginal secretions of all the women and the concentrations found did not differ significantly in the two groups. Levels of IgM were significantly higher in the infertile group. The ratio of protein levels in cervicovaginal fluid to serum levels were calculated using the formulae of Donovan et al (1970). Locally-produced IgA, IgG and IgM were found in more of the infertile women and in greater amounts than in the fertile women. Class specific anti-immunoglobulin antibodies conjugated to inert particles were used to selectively remove specific classes of immunoglobulin from the cervicovaginal secretions. Removal of a particular immunoglobulin class or all three resulted in less inhibition than either IgG or IgM. In infertile women with locally produced IgA and IgG, there was greater inhibition of sperm migration than in those women who lacked locally produced immunoglobulins.
D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000502:physiology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D013083:Sperm Transport; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis
D000418:Albumins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins