Testicular tumors as a possible cause of antisperm autoimmune response.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of antisperm antibodies in testicular cancer patients 1 month after orchiectomy and before radiotherapy or chemotherapy.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
Department of andrology and seminology at a university hospital.


METHODS
One hundred ninety patients with testicular cancer.


METHODS
Determination of semen parameters and autoimmune reaction evaluated on the sperm surface and in blood serum.


METHODS
Autoimmune reaction on the sperm surface by the direct immunobead test (IBT), and in blood serum by the indirect IBT and the gelatin agglutination test (GAT), was evaluated 1 month after orchiectomy and before beginning chemotherapy or radiotherapy.


RESULTS
Of the 190 patients, 11 (5.8%) were positive for antisperm antibody by GAT. On indirect IBT, 3 of the 11 GAT-positive patients were positive to IgG class only, with values of 22%, 24%, and 40%. Of the 11 GAT-positive patients, 4 showed no antibody bound to the sperm surface, and 3 were positive to IgG class only (28%, 21%, and 38%), with binding exclusively on the tail. Direct IBT could not be performed in the remaining 4 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data support the hypothesis that testicular cancer might not be a possible cause of antisperm autoimmunization and infertility.
Paoli
Donatella
D
Department of Medical Pathophysiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Gilio
Barbara
B
Piroli
Emanuela
E
Gallo
Mariagrazia
M
Lombardo
Francesco
F
Dondero
Franco
F
Lenzi
Andrea
A
Gandini
Loredana
L
D000328:Adult; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D055101:Semen Analysis; D018239:Seminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001323:Autoantibodies