CLINCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTIBODIES TO ANTIGENS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

Abstract

This chapter discusses clinical significance of antibodies to antigens of the reproductive tract. When investigating infertile couples, it is important to determine the presence of anti-spermatozoal antibodies in the partner and to determine whether they are the cause of infertility. The postcoital test (PCT) is extremely important in this context. The PCT is performed four times in four cycles. If results of the PCT are negative, though the quality of both cervical mucus and semen are good, in vitro sperm penetration tests are performed during two different cycles. The chapter highlights the differences in the frequencies of anti-spermatozoal antibodies detected in different parts of the world. A convenient procedure for obtaining cervical mucus for undertaking sperm cervical mucus contact tests is to place the woman on a sequential oral contraceptive regimen for one cycle. If the antispermatozoal antibodies are present in the semen, shaking spermatozoa can be seen at semen/cervical mucus interfaces, generally with their tails fixed in position and the heads free, whereas if the antibodies are present in the mucus, the heads are fixed in position and the tails are free.