Antisperm antibodies modify plasma membrane functional integrity and inhibit osmosensitive calcium influx in human sperm.
BACKGROUND
The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test evaluates the ability of the functional sperm plasma membrane to stretch following cell swelling when exposed to hypo-osmotic solutions. Sperm samples with low HOS scores show low fertilization and pregnancy rates during assisted reproductive techniques, though data are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the HOS test in a group of normozoospermic men with those in a group of subjects affected by autoimmune infertility due to the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) bound to the sperm surface.


METHODS
Sperm from normozoospermic and from infertile subjects affected by autoimmune infertility were exposed to hypo-osmolar conditions to verify the effects on intracellular calcium concentrations and acrosome reaction.


RESULTS
Sperm samples from infertile men with ASA showed HOS test scores that were significantly lower than those of normozoospermic subjects despite similar sperm viability percentages. Sperm with ASA bound to their plasma membrane showed a reduced rise in intracellular calcium concentrations and acrosome reaction after hypo-osmotic challenge with respect to sperm from normozoospermic subjects without ASA.


CONCLUSIONS
Infertile subjects with ASA have a reduced sperm plasma membrane functional integrity that could explain, at least in part, the low fertilization and pregnancy rates observed in these subjects during assisted reproductive procedures. Evaluation for the presence of ASA in all sperm samples showing low HOS test scores in the presence of normal sperm viability percentages is suggested.
Rossato
M
M
University of Padova, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Center for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Clinica Medica 3, Via Ospedale 105, 35128 Padova, Italy. marco.rossato@unipd.it
Galeazzi
C
C
Ferigo
M
M
Foresta
C
C
D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D002118:Calcium