Effects of plasma exchange on sperm antibody levels in males with subfertility.
Three men with subfertility secondary to sperm antibodies with measurable serum sperm antibody levels underwent a course of 3 plasma exchanges over a period of 1 week. The levels of serum anti-sperm antibodies fell by a mean of 3.3 dilutions. This fall was maintained for approximately 4 weeks, after which there was a return to the original levels. Plasma exchange is time-consuming and relatively expensive but it offers a possible alternative to steroid treatment (with its potential side effects) in men with sperm antibodies and warrants further investigation.
Abel
P D
PD
Department of Surgery, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London.
Lindsay
K S
KS
Lord
R H
RH
MacGregor
S
S
Floyd
I
I
Williams
G
G
Pusey
C D
CD
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies