The relationship between female sexual practices and the development of antisperm antibodies
Chacho, K.J.; Hage, C.W.; Shulman, S.
Fertility and Sterility 56(3): 461-464
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-0282 PMID: 1894022 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54540-3Document Number: 556595
The role of antisperm antibodies in fertility is related but unknown. This study was designed to explore the relationship between anal and oral intercourse and the development of sperm antibodies in women. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was given to 39 consecutive women tested for antisperm antibodies (Shulman method) postcoitally in an infertility practice, of whom 32 responded. 14 women had a negative test for sperm antibodies and 18 were positive with mucus and serum antibodies. The gelatin agglutination test is described and positivity was based on agglutination occurring at, at least, 1:4 dilution of inactivated serum with quantification for higher levels of sperm antibody formation. A negative response was no reaction at a 1:4 dilution. The tube-slide agglutination test was also performed to count the number of motile, free, and clumped cells: the % of activity was expressed as the number of clumped cells divided by the total number of cells. Cervical mucus aspirated on or near ovulation was sampled and tested using a modification of the tube-slide agglutination test. Since the nominal data were very small, the X-squared statistic was used to analyze the anal intercourse data. The hypothesis of differences was tested with a 2 x 2 contingency table. Since in the small sample of oral intercourse data the frequency cells were 5, Fisher's exact statistic was used; the 2 x 2 contingency table was constructed to test the hypothesis of differences. No significant association was found between oral or anal intercourse and the development of sperm antibodies in the female. It is pointed out that of all sexually active women exposed to spermatozoa vaginally, only 68% develop antibodies. This may occur because of a breakdown in the normal physical immunological barriers, or cervical or vaginal abrasion or cervicitis, or a defect in the immune system. Further study is ongoing in exploring the relationship between autoimmune responses and sperm antibodies. Although not statistically significant, the largest differences occurred between women practicing anal intercourse and ejaculating with and without antibodies. A larger sample of being constructed to determine whether sample size is a factor. Reduction of antigenic load is advised for infertile women.