The clinical relevance of classes of immunoglobulins on spermatozoa from infertile and vasovasostomized males
Parslow, J.M.; Poulton, T.A.; Besser, G.M.; Hendry, W.F.
Fertility and Sterility 43(4): 621-627
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-0282 PMID: 3872817 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)48507-9Document Number: 411785
To clarify the differences between antisperm antibodies occurring in spontaneously infertile men and in men who have undergone reversal of vasectomy, classes of immunoglobulins were compared in 23 men from the former group and 22 men from the latter group. Antisperm antibodies were detected in seminal plasma by the same tray agglutination test in all subjects. The class of antibody on spermatozoa was defined by a double-antibody technique that used diluted rabbit antihuman IgG, IgA, or secretory component, followed, after washing, by 125I-labled donkey antirabbit Ig. Although similar amounts of IgG amd IgM were present on the spermatozoa in both groups, infertile men had significantly more IgA and especially more secretory component than men who underwent vasectomy reversal. This was associated with significantly greater impairment of penetration of cervical mucus in the former group. 8 of the 20 vasovasectomized men with antisperm antibodies in their seminal plasma produced pregnancies, whereas no pregnancies have been observed in 63 spontaneously infertile untreated men with seminal plasma antibodies. Spermatozoa from 86% of vasovasectomized men penetrated the cervical mucus, while spermatozoa from only 27% of spontaneously infertile men were able to do so. It is concluded that the type of antibody on the spermatozoa may vary according to the stimulus for its production.