Abstract
According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility is often associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens essential for fertilization. Antisperm autoantibodies (ASAs) have immobilizing and cytotoxic properties, impairing spermatogenesis, causing sperm agglutination, altering spermatozoa motility and acrosomal reaction, and thus preventing ovum fertilization. Infertility diagnosis requires a mandatory check for the ASAs. The concept of the blood–testis barrier is currently re-formulated, with an emphasis on informational paracrine and juxtacrine effects, rather than simple anatomical separation. The etiology of male infertility includes both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases but equally develops through autoimmune links of pathogenesis. Varicocele commonly leads to infertility due to testicular ischemic damage, venous stasis, local hyperthermia, and hypoandrogenism. However, varicocelectomy can alter the blood–testis barrier, facilitating ASAs production as well. There are contradictory data on the role of ASAs in the pathogenesis of varicocele-related infertility. Infection and inflammation both promote ASAs production due to “danger concept” mechanisms and because of antigen mimicry. Systemic pro-autoimmune influences like hyperprolactinemia, hypoandrogenism, and hypothyroidism also facilitate ASAs production. The diagnostic value of various ASAs has not yet been clearly attributed, and their cut-levels have not been determined in sera nor in ejaculate. The assessment of the autoimmunity role in the pathogenesis of male infertility is ambiguous, so the purpose of this review is to show the effects of ASAs on the pathogenesis of male infertility.
Highlights
In recent years, infertility has become a global health problem [1]
Male infertility is a multifactorial syndrome that includes a wide range of disorders, affecting the reproductive system, and the immunoneuroendocrine apparatus [10,14,15]
The test is considered significant if 50% or more of motile spermatozoa areare covered with beads
Summary
An increasing number of men suffer from impaired fertility, while the incidence of the male factor of infertility reaches 30–50% in infertile couples [2,3,4,5,6,7]. The etiology of male infertility is still a matter of debate among various specialists, but the influence of both exogenous and endogenous factors is noticed, combining negative effects on spermatogenesis and various stages of the fertilization [12,13]. Male infertility is a multifactorial syndrome that includes a wide range of disorders, affecting the reproductive system, and the immunoneuroendocrine apparatus [10,14,15]. The most common causes of male infertility are genitourinary malformations, genetic disorders
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.