title: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for treating infertility associated with sperm autoimmunity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used to achieve normal fertilization, embryo cleavage, and pregnancies in cases of sperm autoimmunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of ICSI results in sperm antibody-positive and randomly selected antibody-negative groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  University- and hospital-based reproductive research laboratory and tertiary referral IVF program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine couples selected on the basis of a strongly positive result for sperm antibodies of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and/or IgA immunoglobulin class in the male partner and a control group of 140 antibody-negative couples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human menopausal gonadotropin, hCG and Lucrin (Abbott Australasia, Kurnell, NSW, Australia) were given by injection. Oocyte collection was by transvaginal ovarian puncture. Blood was collected for beta-hCG measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal fertilization, embryo cleavage, establishment of clinical pregnancy, and delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in fertilization rates (62% versus 58%) or clinical pregnancy rates (19% versus 12%) between sperm antibody-positive and sperm antibody-negative patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is an effective treatment for patients with severe sperm autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005318:Fetal Heart; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G