Flow cytometric determination of spermatozoa binding monoclonal antibodies does not improve the prediction of fertility potential.
In a previous publication the determination of binding of several monoclonal antibodies to human spermatozoa by flow cytometry was described in 223 patients. In normozoospermic samples the percentage of spermatozoa binding antibodies was higher than in samples with oligozoospermia. However, only weak correlations were found between the percentage of antibody binding spermatozoa and sperm count, motility and morphology. Thus the antibody binding may represent a property different from the classical parameters and might improve the prediction of fertility in the patients. A questionnaire was sent to all the patients inquiring about a conception in their female partners. One hundred and twenty one out of the 223 patients replied, 103 of whom we were able to evaluate. Forty five of them had induced a pregnancy in their partners. The mean values of sperm count, motility and morphological normal cells, as well as the percentages of cells that bound antibodies, were significantly higher in the group of men whose partners became pregnant, than in those who had not achieved conception. The differences, however, were only marginal. We conclude from our results that the determination of the percentage of spermatozoa binding the monoclonal antibodies used in our study is not likely to improve the prediction of conception probability.
Schwarzinger
F
F
Department of Andrology, School of Medicine, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany.
Schüller
T
T
Krause
W
W
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal