Immunobead Binding Test Research Articles

Anti-sperm antibodies and immune subfertility.

A brief description of immune subfertility, caused by antibodies directed against sperm-specific glycoproteins in the sperm membrane, is given. Observations during the last few years have indicated that this immune disease is primarily caused by anti-sperm antibodies of the IgA class, and recent results from vasovasostomized men lend further support to this theory. Detection of anti-sperm antibodies should therefore include characterization of the immunoglobulin class of antibodies. In male patients this can be achieved by direct mixed anti-globulin reaction test or immunobead-binding test on the patients' spermatozoa, and in female patients cervical mucus can be tested by indirect versions of the same tests.

Effect of washing on sperm surface autoantibodies.

This study tested the hypothesis that immediate washing "removes" sperm surface antibodies. Nine ejaculates with antisperm antibodies were studied. Separate portions of each ejaculate were washed by centrifugation (Shulman's method) as soon as possible after production (0-h) and 2 h later (2-h). In four samples, portions were also washed by a simple swim-up migration started at 0-h. Washed sperm were tested for surface antibodies using the immunobead binding test. The number of sperm with bound IgG antibodies at 0-h was significantly less than that at 2-h (P less than 0.001) but no significant difference was found in respect of IgA antibodies. Swim-up migration yielded results similar to those of centrifugation and had the advantage of selecting highly motile sperm. The potential application and implication of these findings are discussed.