title: Prospective study showing that antisperm antibodies are not associated with pregnancy losses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To obtain prospective data on the relationship between presence of antisperm antibodies in maternal sera and first trimester pregnancy losses.
  
  
  METHODS
  First trimester sera obtained from diabetic and nondiabetic women recruited within 21 days of conception were analyzed using the indirect immunobead test for immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, and IgM antisperm antibodies. Regional binding also was considered: sperm head, midpiece, and sperm tail. Results were correlated with pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five university centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eleven women who experienced pregnancy loss (55 diabetic; 56 nondiabetic) were matched 2:1 with 104 diabetic and 116 nondiabetic women (controls) who subsequently had a normal liveborn infant.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnancy outcome (spontaneous abortion, liveborn) correlated with presence or absence of antisperm antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyzing samples without knowledge of clinical status, no differences were observed with respect to IgG, IgA, and IgM binding when a positive test was defined as 50% of sperm showing antibody binding. Likewise, no association was found for IgG and IgM antisperm antibodies at 20% binding. The only positive finding was observed for IgA antisperm antibodies at 20% binding (Fisher's Exact test). This one positive finding merely could reflect multiple comparisons. No significant differences between groups were observed when analysis was stratified according to location of antibody binding (head, midpiece, tail tip, entire sperm). When the sample was stratified into those having and not having a prior loss, a relationship between antisperm antibodies and pregnancy loss still was not evident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further work is necessary to determine whether IgA antisperm antibodies truly are associated with pregnancy loss or whether antisperm antibodies play any role in repetitive aborters. Findings in this study suggest that antisperm antibodies do not play a major role in pregnancy loss.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphia, USA.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Simpson
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Carson
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Mills
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Conley
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Aarons
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Holmes
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Jovanovic-Peterson
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Knopp
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Metzger
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies