Comparison of flow cytometric measurement of seminal antisperm antibodies with the mixed antiglobulin reaction and the serum tray agglutination test.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) and the serum tray agglutination test (TAT) with the flow cytometric (FCM) measurement of sperm antibodies. To evaluate by FCM the correlation in sperm antibody parameters between paired semen ejaculates obtained 2 to 4 weeks apart and the effect of washing on sperm antibody levels.


METHODS
University-based infertility clinic.


METHODS
The TAT and FCM were done on 81 patients with a positive immunoglobulin (Ig)G-MAR test. The correlation of sperm antibody parameters between paired semen samples was done in 16 men. A few samples were used to study the effect of washing on sperm antibody parameters.


METHODS
The proportion of spermatozoa positive for IgG and IgA antibodies as well as the number of antibody molecules per spermatozoa measured by FCM.


RESULTS
In general, the degree of MAR positivity but not that of the TAT correlated with the sperm antibody load. With reference to FCM the MAR test had an 1% false positive rate, whereas the serum TAT had a 25% false negative rate. Correlation between FCM measurements of paired semen samples was good. Washing the spermatozoa once removed the loosely bound antibodies; further washes were not useful.


CONCLUSIONS
Flow cytometry is a reliable technique that correlates with the MAR test. In patients with a strongly positive MAR, FCM is useful to identify patients with a low sperm antibody load. It is speculated that patients with a low sperm antibody load may respond better to IVF treatment.
Räsänen
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Lähteenmäki
A
A
Saarikoski
S
S
Agrawal
Y P
YP
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G