Antisperm Antibodies Research Articles

Proteomic Analysis of Antiprotease Immunoglobulin-E Anti-Sperm Autoantibodies in Chronic Urticaria After Vasectomy

Some types of chronic urticaria (CU) are associated with autoreactive immunoglobulin (Ig)E, as well as IgG. In the syndrome of autoimmune thyroid disease and CU, autoreactive IgE, as well as IgG against host thyroid tissue, is present. The author describes a patient with new onset of CU after vasectomy with evidence of both autoreactive IgE and IgG anti-sperm antibodies (ASA). Autoreactive sperm proteins are enzymes opposed to structural sperm antigens producing ASA in infertility and after anti-spermatocyte vaccines. The author suggests that autoreactive proteins with enzymatic activity either in host proteins, aeroallergens, or viral proteins may have increased propensity to generate autoreactive IgE. This model of autoimmune IgE ASA generation by sperm and other host enzymatic proteins in CU can be tested using proteomic technology. INTRODUCTION

Improvement in pregnancy outcomes in couples with immunologically male infertility undergoing prednisolone treatment and conventional in vitro fertilization preceded by sperm penetration assay: a randomized controlled trial.

Anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) in men impair not only sperm motility but also fertilization and conception. However, utilization of corticosteroids to suppress ASA has shown variable pregnancy outcomes. This controversy is also extended to include the usefulness of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in treatments of men with ASA. This study was therefore designed to define factors contributing to these inconsistent results. Infertile men having ASA (n = 241) were randomly assigned for treatment with or without prednisolone for three cycles each of 21 days of their partner's menstrual cycles. Control and treated men underwent then human sperm penetration assay (SPA), of hamster oocytes, to diagnose men with impaired sperm fusogenic capacity. Men with positive or negative SPA results were admitted to conventional IVF or ICSI programs, respectively. Treated patients had improved sperm motility and progressive motility when compared to control patients (P < 0.001). Fertilization (P = 0.04), embryo cleavage (P = 0.01), and chemical (P = 0.02) and clinical (P = 0.04) pregnancy rates were higher in treated patients than in control patients undergoing conventional IVF but not ICSI cycles. Men with ASA may also have compromised sperm fusogenic capacity, which can mask the clinical significance of corticosteroids. Corticosteroid administration in men with ASA, but without compromised sperm fusogenic capacity, improves conventional IVF but not ICSI outcomes; the reason being that ICSI bypasses issues of compromised fusogenic capacity. Inclusion of SPA in infertility clinics that offer both conventional IVF and ICSI services may be useful to identify which patients with ASA benefit from corticosteroid treatments.

Clinical utility of sperm DNA fragmentation testing: a requisite to infertility practice.

Conventional semen analysis is the routine test performed during the evaluation of a couple’s fertility status. The test is cost-effective and easy to perform and at the same time provides essential information on quantitative semen parameters such as semen volume, sperm motility, concentration, viability and morphology. Most practitioners consider a male partner normal or abnormal merely looking at a semen report. Notwithstanding that a semen analysis can provide significant information on sperm fertility parameters as predictive for fertilization; it does not forecast sperm functional and qualitative defects such as sperm DNA integrity, oxidative stress and antisperm antibodies (1,2). It also makes decision making difficult for the providers in certain clinical situations because of it’s inherit variability (3). Further, the advent of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has revolutionized the infertility treatment by offering, classic In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in patients with abnormal semen parameters (4). On the other hand failed Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), IVF/ICSI cycles and pregnancy loss have been reported in cases where semen parameters were normal (4,5). Additionally, the limitations of conventional semen analysis are extended into unexplained infertility cases where men had normal sperm parameters (6,7).

Clinical study on the autoimmune antibodies and endocrine hormones in patients with endometriosis complicated with infertility

Objective To explore the levels of autoimmune antibodies and endocrine hormones in patients with endometriosis complicated with infertiilty. Methods 158 endometriosis and infertility patients were selected as study subjects, and they were divided into endometriosis complicated with infertility group(A group, 52 cases), endometriosis group(B group, 50 cases) and infertility group(C group, 56 cases) according to the type of disease.At the same time, 93 healthy women were selected as control group.The autoimmune antibodies such as anti-endometrial antibody(EMAb), anti-chorionic gonadotropin antibody(HCGAb), anti-sperm antibody(ASAb), anti-cardiolipin antibody(ACAb) and anti-ovarian antibody(AOAb), endocrine hormones such as luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), prolactin(PRL), estradiol(E2), insulin(INS) and testosterone(T) were compared in four groups. Results There was no significant difference in the total antibody positive rate between B group and C group (χ2=2.161, P>0.05). The total antibody positive rate of A group was significantly higher than that of B, C group and the control group, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=6.316, P 0.05). There were no significant differences in all of the endocrine hormones between C group and the control group(t=1.535, 0.931, 0.825, 1.363, 1.005, 1.259, all P>0.05). Conclusion The main factors that cause endometriosis patients complicated with infertility may be due to a endometriosis immune imbalance of T, E2 and PRL and endocrine abnormalities, through the analysis of the levels of autoimmune antibodies and endocrine hormones can provide a reliable basis for clinical. Key words: Endometriosis; Infertility, Female; Autoimmunity

The plight of protamine for heparin reversal in sensitized individuals

Abstract Introduction Anaphylaxis to protamine is a rare and potentially fatal complication. Risk factors for protamine reaction may include history of prior cardiac surgery (with intraoperative protamine exposure), true fish allergy (as protamine is commonly derived from salmon sperm), history of vasectomy (due to formation of anti-sperm antibodies), insulin-dependent diabetes (due to exposure to neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) and other protamine containing forms of insulin), as well as excessively rapid administration of protamine. Aim To report a case of anaphylaxis to protamine, increase awareness of protamine anaphylaxis and its treatments. Case study Our patient had several risk factors not identified preoperatively and experienced a type 1 allergic reaction with anaphylaxis upon protamine administration. The patient was appropriately treated and made a full recovery from this potentially catastrophic event. Results and discussion We present this case of a known drug reaction to remind our colleagues of the importance of screening for risk factors for protamine reaction, which include: shellfish allergy, insulin-dependent diabetes, prior protamine exposure, and vasectomy. The patient presented in this case had risk factors for allergic reaction to protamine including prior protamine exposure and vasectomy. The risks and benefits of protamine administration in a patient with multiple risk factors for protamine reaction are discussed, as is the controversy surrounding the clinical utility (or lack thereof) for protamine administration in elective peripheral vascular procedures. Conclusions Identification of patient risk factors prior to protamine administration could result in (1) avoidance of protamine administration or (2) improved preparation for potential anaphylaxis.

Antisperm antibodies as a factor of male infertility. Relevance, modern methods of diagnosis and treatment

According to WHO statistics 40 % of childless marriage is due to factors of male infertility. One of them is the presence of antisperm antibodies in the male organism, which may be in blood serum, on the surface of spermatozoids and seminal plasma. Aim. Оn the grounds of specialized literature analysis, to show the relevance of this problem in Reproductive Medicine, to descript Basic methods of Modern treatment and diagnosis of this pathology in the body of infertile males. The most common methods of antisperm antibodies identifying are: MAR-test sample Shuvarskiy–Sims–Hyuner, Kurtsrok–Miller test, the method of latex agglutination, solid-phase immunoenzymatic blood test. Indications for antisperm antibodies determining are: modified indices, deviations in post-coital test, a negative test of sperm and cervical mucus interaction in vitro, unexplained infertility in the married couples, failure or low indices during IVF ( in vitro fertilization) and of course, the exclusion of other causes of infertility. When antisperm antibodies are detected, the strategy of treatment may be destined to reduction of their titer for further pregnancy. Such types of therapy can be used: contraceptive (long-term use contraception barrier to reduce antisperm antibodies titer in women), plasmapheresis, artificial insemination with pretreated from antisperm antibodies husband's sperm, methods of assisted reproductive technologies. Conclusoins. The formation of antisperm antibodies leads to infertility of immunological genesis (in 20 % of couples with unexplained infertility). To confirm their presence in the male body it is necessary to perform the MAR-test, Shuvarsky test, other tests and, of course, the exclusion of other causes of infertility. Men of reproductive age with an immunological factor of infertility provides for a comprehensive treatment, including elimination of all possible causative and contributing factors of infertility (infection of the male reproductive system, varicocele etc.), decreased production and removal of spermatozoa-associated antisperm antibodies and assisted reproductive technologies – intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.

Sleep Deprivation and Late Bedtime Impair Sperm Health Through Increasing Antisperm Antibody Production: A Prospective Study of 981 Healthy Men.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sleep duration and bedtime on sperm health, and the possible mechanism involved.Material/MethodsWe randomly divided 981 healthy Chinese men into groups according to research-set bedtimes (A=8–10 PM, B=after 10 PM, and C=after midnight) and sleep durations: group 1=<6.0 h (short), group 2=7.0–8.0 h (average), and group 3=>9.0 h (long). Sperm morphology, count, survival, and motility were examined according to sleep patterns. Antisperm antibody (ASA) production in semen was determined.ResultsSperm counts and their survival rates were lower in the short sleepers as compared to others within each group (all P<0.01). The lower counts and survival rates were observed in different bedtimes, with significant differences found between measurements of C1 vs. A1 and C2 vs. A2 or B2 (all P<0.05 or 0.01). Semen motility was lower in the short sleepers as compared to the average and long sleepers (all P<0.01). There were differences in the bedtime-related results between measurements of C1 vs. A1 or B1 (P<0.05 or 0.01). Additionally, the population proportion for the ASA-positive participates and incidence of the ASA-expressed population obviously increased in the short sleepers as compared to others within each group (all P<0.05).ConclusionsShort and long sleep durations and late bedtime were associated with impaired sperm health in the study cohort, partly through increasing ASA production in the semen.

Effect of H.pylori and Cag-A on the infertility among males

Among infertility factors, the immunological factor that associated with humoral immunity against sperm antigens is one of the causes of human infertility. A hypothesis for the induction of anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) is the cross-reactivity of spermatozoa antigens and exogenous antigens including; bacteria, viruses, fungi and allergens. The presence of anti-sperm Ab, anti-H.pylori and Cag-A and its effect on infertility among male and female have been found. In the current study, 129 male and 38 females (18-59 years) participated. Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) used for detection of ASA, anti-H.pylori Ab and Cag A. The seminal fluid examination test was performed according to an examination and processing of human semen. H.pylori infection can be observed among both of infertile male and females who participated in this study. A significant difference in mean values was observed between the presence of ASA, anti-H.pylori Ab and Cag-A (P-value &lt; 0.000). P-value &lt; 0.000 also observed between Cag A and ASA according to the trauma of testes. The result of the current study showed that about one of a third of males who participated in this study have a history of a microbial infection that can lead to the destruction of testes barrier thus result in the production of auto-antibodies against sperms.

La necrozoospermie : du diagnostic étiologique à la prise en charge thérapeutique

This review describes necrospermia, its diagnosis, causes and management. Sperm vitality is commonly assessed in the laboratory of reproductive biology, with the eosin test or with the hypo-osmotic swelling test. Necrospermia is defined by a percentage of living spermatozoa inferior to 58%, and can be related to male infertility. Several pathological mechanisms may be involved and can be classified either in testicular causes (hyperthyroidism, local hyperthermia, varicocele), or post-testicular causes (epididymal necrospermia, dysregulation of seminal plasma, adult polycystic kidney disease, vasectomy reversal, anti-sperm antibodies) or both (infection, toxic, age, spinal cord injury). The first treatment is to correct the underlying cause, if possible. Repetitive ejaculation has demonstrated to be effective as well. Many drugs would also improve the sperm vitality (antioxidants, non-and-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) but there is currently no guideline to recommend their use. With necrospermia, fertilization rates are lower but in vitro fertilization (IVF) with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) improves the chances of conception.

Assessment of fertilizing capacity of bull semen based on in vivo and in vitro assays

The aim of this work was to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of bulls on the basis of the assessment of fresh and thawed semen, following the swim-up procedure and immunological assay with IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies. In addition, the suitability of immunological reaction with IgG and IgA antisperm antibodies for seminological assessment of bull semen was examined. Tests were conducted with semen originating from Holstein-Friesian bulls. Ejaculates were collected twice from 15 two-year-old males, yielding 30 samples of semen. After the calculation of sperm concentration and motility, the samples were diluted with Biociphos-Plus® and frozen in straws. After thawing, sperm concentration and motility were calculated again (an average of 101.4 million sperm/ml with a motility of around 21%), and the spermatozoa were subjected to swim-up. At the same time, frozen-thawed bull semen was tested for the presence of antisperm antibodies, using SpermMar Tests for IgG and IgA. According to the records of the insemination centre, 53 515 insemination treatments had been conducted with semen of selected bulls. In a population of 30 324 cows, the calculated insemination index amounted to 1.76. Half of the cows which were qualified for insemination had already been fertilized with the first treatment (ca 52.8%). After the swim-up, there was an average of 4.5 million hyperactivated spermatozoa with a motility of around 41%. Furthermore, spermatozoa associated with IgG antisperm antibodies were found in 20 ejaculates, i.e. in around 66.67% of all semen samples obtained. The spermatozoa reacted positively with IgA antibodies in as many as 23 samples, which constituted 76.67% of all ejaculates obtained. Correlations between the routinely analyzed semen parameters and the selected parameters (immunological, swim-up) which were demonstrated in this work, did not appear to be sufficiently convincing. Therefore, it seems necessary to repeat this study with a population of clinically healthy, fertile bulls, as well as with juvenile bulls newly introduced to the insemination centre or with bulls with reduced fertility.

Effects of Sperm Treatment on the Anti-sperm Antibodies IgG and IgA

Anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) form a class of glycoproteins commonly found in infertile men. This class of antibody causes an impairment of the spermatozoon's ability to cross cervical mucus and interact with the oocyte. The aim of our study was to analyze clinical and biological parameters of the sperm among positive ASA patients seen at the Center of Assisted Medical Procreation of the CHU Reunion before and after in-vitro treatment of autoimmune sperms. During the period from April 01, 2013 to February 29, 2015, we analyzed clinico-biological parameters of patients coming for exploring an infertility state with ASA IgG and IgA research before and after sperm treatment. Fourteen (1.51%) patients had a positive ASA, with a combination of ASA IgG and IgA for 71.42% of them. After in vitro treatment of the autoimmune sperm we found a persistence of IgA in 21.43% without IgG.

Presence of PSA antibodies in seminal plasma of infertile men.

Immunoinfertility due to antisperm antibodies and semen hyperviscosity are among major causes of male infertility. Although the modulation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been investigated in prostate abnormalities, its role and the effect of its dysfunction in male fertility/infertility have not been extensively examined. The present study was conducted to examine the presence of PSA antibodies locally in the seminal plasma of men having immunoinfertility and semen hyperviscosity. Seminal plasma samples from immunoinfertile men (n=25), men with hyperviscous semen (n=25), and normal men (n=24) were collected and analyzed for immunoreactivity with PSA in ELISA and Western blot. In the immunoinfertile group, seminal plasma from 20% of men reacted positively with PSA. In the hyperviscous group, seminal plasma from 28% of men reacted positively with PSA. None (0%) of the seminal plasma from the normal group showed immunoreactivity to PSA. This is the first study ever to indicate the presence of PSA antibodies in semen of men having immunoinfertility or hyperviscosity. These findings may have clinical significance in the specific diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men and contraceptive vaccine development.

IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPERMATOZOA IN MEN WITH CHRONIC NONBACTERIAL PROSTATITIS AND IN A PROGRAM OF PRECONCEPTION PREPARATION TO FATHERHOOD

In the article, the results of diagnostics and treatment of 30 men aged 30–45 (mean age 36.2 ± 5.3 years) with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) and male factor infertility in marriage are presented. Among the patients, 15 patients had CNP and secretory infertility (1st group; mean age 35.2 ± 4.3 years), 15 men with infertility caused by CNP and varicocele in the postoperative period (2nd group; mean age 33.6 ± 3.3 years). Duration of the male factor infertility varied from 1 to 4.5 years, and on average it was 2.8 ± 1.6 years. After detailed questioning and examination, including a spermiogram, determination of antisperm antibodies, DNA fragmentation test, and electron microscopy of the ejaculate, patients in the 1st group received Prostatilen AC as rectal suppositories for 10 days. Patients in the second group received Prostatilen AC in the form of rectal suppositories for 20 days. We showed an improvement of quality of life and spermatogenesis characteristics with decreased MAR test (more pronounced in the 2nd group), a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index, and an improvement in ultrastructural morphofunctional characteristics of spermatozoa. We justify the use of Prostatilen AC to increase effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies in men in programs of preconception preparation to fatherhood.

Immunosuppressants and Male Reproduction.

Prolonged use of immunosuppressant medications is occasionally seen in infertile men with chronic inflammatory conditions; autoimmune disorders; or an organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Chronic inflammation impacts negatively on male reproductive endpoints, so immunosuppressant therapy can produce improvements. Corticosteroids have been used to treat antisperm antibodies and even as an empirical treatment for male infertility in general. Trials of these methods have provided mixed results on semen quality and fertility, with improvement, no change and negative effects reported by different investigators. In a substantial number of observational studies, patients on long-term therapy with prednisone for chronic inflammatory disease, testosterone levels were lower compared to untreated controls, though randomized controlled trials have not been conducted. Similarly decreases in testosterone have been reported in men receiving corticosteroids to minimize transplant rejection; however, most were treated with multiple immunosuppressive medications that may have contributed to this effect. A large number of trials of healthy men treated with corticosteroids have shown some disruption in reproductive hormone levels, but other studies reported no effect. Studies in monkeys, rats (at human equivalent dose), cattle, sheep, and horses have shown endocrine disruption, including low testosterone with dexamethasone treatment. Of the cytostatic immunosuppressives, which have high potential for cellular damage, cyclophosphamide has received the most attention, sometimes lowering sperm counts significantly. Methotrexate may decrease sperm numbers in humans and has significant negative impacts in rodents. Other chemotherapeutic drugs used as immunosuppressants are likely to impact negatively on male fertility endpoints, but few data have been collected. The TNF-α Inhibitors have also received little experimental attention. There is some evidence that the immunophilin modulators: cyclosporine, sirolimus, and everolimus cause endocrine disruption and semen quality impairment. As we review in this chapter, results in experimental species are concerning, and well-designed studies are lacking for the effects of these medications on reproductive endpoints in men.

Antisperm antibodies in repeat-breeding cows: Frequency, detection and validation of threshold levels employing sperm immobilization, sperm agglutination and immunoperoxidase assay.

Antisperm antibodies have been found in repeat-breeding(RB) cows, and those causing agglutination and/or immobilization of sperm are considered to be closely related to unexplained infertility. However, a standard protocol for identifying antisperm antibodies (ASA) in cattle is not validated. Therefore, an investigation was undertaken to evaluate sperm immobilization (SIT), sperm agglutination (SAT) and immunoperoxidase (IPT)assays for detection of ASA in serum and their respective threshold levels for confirmation. Animals (heifers, normally breeding, repeat-breeding and pregnant animals) that were free from IBR, brucellosis and uterine infections (screened by clinical examination) were included in the study. Sperm agglutinating, sperm immobilizing and antisperm antibodies evaluated by respective assay were significantly higher (p<.05) in RB cows compared to other groups. The SIT assay was able to identify 61% of RB caused by ASA, more than those employing SAT and IPT. Furthermore, a dilution rate of 1:5 and 1:80 (confirms 59.0 and 57.0% RB+ve)were sufficient to diagnose ASA by SAT and IPT, respectively. Results indicate the presence of __12.6% clumped spermatozoa and __2.6%(cut-off value) peroxidase-positive spermatozoa at 1:5 and 1:80 dilutions diagnosed with SAT and IPT, respectively, may be considered as repeaters arising out of ASA. Furthermore, study also showed the presence of lower incidence of ASA positivity in other groups of animals (heifer<normal breeder<pregnant animals) compared to repeaters. Study results show that although IPT is more specific and accurate but SAT and SIT are comparatively simple and cost-effective assays suitable for detecting ASA under field conditions and thus can be recommended for screening of repeaters.

Changes in Gene Expression and Metabolism in the Testes of the Rat following Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in devastating changes to almost all aspects of a patient's life. In addition to a permanent loss of sensory and motor function, males also will frequently exhibit a profound loss of fertility through poorly understood mechanisms. We demonstrate that SCI causes measureable pathology in the testis both acutely (24 h) and chronically up to 1.5 years post-injury, leading to loss in sperm motility and viability. SCI has been shown in humans and rats to induce leukocytospermia, with the presence of inflammatory cytokines, anti-sperm antibodies, and reactive oxygen species found within the ejaculate. Using messenger RNA and metabolomic assessments, we describe molecular and cellular changes that occur within the testis of adult rats over an acute to chronic time period. From 24 h, 72 h, 28 days, and 90 days post-SCI, the testis reveal a distinct time course of pathological events. The testis show an acute drop in normal sexual organ processes, including testosterone production, and establishment of a pro-inflammatory environment. This is followed by a subacute initiation of an innate immune response and loss of cell cycle regulation, possibly due to apoptosis within the seminiferous tubules. At 1.5 years post-SCI, there is a chronic low level immune response as evidenced by an elevation in T cells. These data suggest that SCI elicits a wide range of pathological processes within the testes, the actions of which are not restricted to the acute phase of injury but rather extend chronically, potentially through the lifetime of the subject. The multiplicity of these pathological events suggest a single therapeutic intervention is unlikely to be successful.

Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the presence of anti-sperm antibodies

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies and anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) in patients with gastroduodenal diseases caused by H. pylori, infertile patients positive for ASA and healthy fertile blood donors as controls. Serum ASA were studied by sperm agglutination tests, sperm immobilization test and ELISA against sperm antigens (ELISAsp). Serum IgG anti-H. pylori antibodies were detected by ELISA (ELISAHp). The tests revealed significantly higher incidence of ASA in patients with gastroduodenal diseases compared to the controls (P < 0.0001). The median levels of both types of antibodies were significantly higher in infertile patients than in patients with upper gastroduodenal diseases in all tests applied (sperm agglutination and immobilization tests P < 0.0001; ELISAsp P = 0.006; ELISAHp, P = 0.0008). Significant linear correlation was found between anti-H. pylori antibodies and ASA detected by sperm immobilization test (r = 0.613, P = 0.05) in the group of patients with gastroduodenal disease, as well as a weak linear correlation was established between anti-H. pylori antibodies and ASA in ELISAsp (r = 0.275, P = 0.0051) in the same group. These results suggest that H. pylori infection may play a role in the induction of ASA.

The morphological expression of an oligosaccharide chain with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine recognized by anti-sperm auto-monoclonal antibody, Ts4, in mouse germ and somatic cells

The morphological expression of an oligosaccharide chain with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine recognized by anti-sperm auto-monoclonal antibody, Ts4, in mouse germ and somatic cells

Sperm-bound antisperm antibodies prevent capacitation of bovine spermatozoa

It was hypothesized here that sperm-bound antisperm antibodies (ASAs) impair the ability of bovine spermatozoa to undergo capacitation, bind to the zona pellucida, and complete the acrosome reaction. The effect of ASA binding on these functions was evaluated in frozen/thawed spermatozoa from four bulls before and after induction of ASAs. Ejaculates were divided into ASA negative (<10% immunoglobulin [Ig]G- and IgA-bound spermatozoa) or ASA positive (≥20% IgG and/or IgA-bound spermatozoa). The percentage of capacitated (Merocyanine 540 positive) live spermatozoa in response to heparin was lower in ASA-positive than ASA-negative ejaculates (P < 0.0001). Treatment with heparin resulted in a higher percentage of capacitated spermatozoa compared with control treatments in ASA-negative but not ASA-positive ejaculates. The percentage of capacitated spermatozoa after heparin treatment was negatively correlated with IgA (P = 0.02, R2 = −0.48) but not IgG binding. Sperm binding to the zona pellucida was lower in IgA-positive (six spermatozoa/oocyte; 3–10 spermatozoa/oocyte) than IgA-negative ejaculates (seven spermatozoa/oocyte; 4–13 spermatozoa/oocyte) (P = 0.019). Zona binding was negatively correlated with the percentage of IgA-bound spermatozoa (P = 0.04; R2 = −0.24) but not IgG-bound spermatozoa. The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was higher in calcium ionophore A23187-treated than control aliquots in both ASA-negative and ASA-positive ejaculates (P < 0.0001). However, the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa did not differ between ASA-positive and ASA-negative samples, and no correlation was identified with IgG or IgA binding. It was concluded that sperm-bound IgA affected the ability of bovine spermatozoa to undergo capacitation. ASAs inhibited the changes in plasma membrane fluidity associated with capacitation and binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida.

Antisperm Antibodies in Blood Serum and Cervical Mucus of Cross-Bred Cows With Respect to Age, Parity and Number of Inseminations

Role of antisperm antibodies in infertility of animals is still controversial. A study was planned with an objective to detect antisperm antibodies (ASA) by Immunoperoxidase assay (IPA), Sperm Mar test and ELISA in blood serum and cervical mucus of 53 cross-bred cows, which were interrelated with age, parity and number of inseminations. Cows were grouped according to age (years), parity- and insemination- number as G-1( 6.0, ≥ 3.0 and > 6.0). In Sperm Mar test, 40% reaction between motile spermatozoa and coated latex particles of IgG and IgA is considered as lower limit of significant activity. Therefore, percentage of cows with higher level of ASA (> 40% IPA / IgG / IgA, 3200 - 6400 / 200 - 800 titre) was calculated in each group. Proportion of cows with higher serum-IgG and ELISA-titre in cervical mucus and that with higher ELISA titre in serum / cervical mucus increased with increased age and parity, respectively. According to number of inseminations, percentage of cows with higher level of ASA (IPA), IgG and ELISA titre in blood serum was maximum in G-IV, whereas that with IgA in G-III in comparison to other groups. Percentage of cows with higher level of ASA (IPA), IgG, IgA and ELISA in cervical mucus was higher in G-III as compared to other groups. This study exposed a significant increase in ASA in serum /cervical mucus of cross-bred cows only with increase in number of inseminations.