Antisperm Antibody Titers Research Articles

Antigenic Cross-Reactivity of Sperm and T Lymphocytes

Since seminal components can mediate immunosuppression in vitro, it is possible that some antigen(s) may be common to both the reproductive and immunologic systems. In a group of 70 couples with unexplained infertility, 50 "autoimmune" males and 40 "isoimmune" females had lower than normal percentages of total T cells (mean values +/- standard error of the mean 63 +/- 2% and 60 +/- 2% for immune males and females, respectively, versus 77 +/- 2% and 78 +/- 5% for 50 normal males and females, respectively; P < 0.001). Sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosetting of lymphocytes was significantly reduced when SRBC were preincubated with sperm extracts (61 +/- 4% versus 9 +/- 2%; P < 0.001) but not when SRBC were incubated with normal serum or when lymphocytes were preincubated with sperm extracts. Antisperm antibody titers in the patients' sera (48 +/- 13) were correlated with their antithymocyte antibody titers (18 +/- 3) (P < 0.01). Moreover, antithymocyte antiserum (titer 1024) cross-reacted with sperm extract (titer 128), and vice versa. This cross-reactivity was significantly reduced by absorption of the sera with sperm cells (P < 0.001), thymocytes (P < 0.001), or white blood cells (P < 0.005). Absorption of autoimmune sperm extracts and seminal plasmas with thymocytes or sperm cells reduced the Coombs' titers, especially immunglobulin G (P < 0.01) and immunoglobulin A (P < 0.025). Similar results were obtained in passive hemagglutiation, immunofluorescence, and cytotoxicity assays. We conclude that sperm and T cells share a common antigen(s).

Vasectomy, antibodies to sperm, and atherosclerosis

Recent evidence indicates that vasectomy in experimental animals can lead to an increased incidence of atherosclerosis in certain arteries. A plausible pathophysiological mechanism explains the arterial damage. The work is that of Nancy J. Alexander at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center Beaverton Oregon. Vasectomy in man and in a number of mammalian species leads to antisperm antibody formation in about 50 percent of the cases. This indicates that ligating the vas deferens leads to a leakage of either sperm or breakdown products of sperm into the circulation. The individual then makes an immune response to the sperm antigens to which he is not tolerant presumably because they are ordinarily hidden from the view of the immune response. Antibodies to sperm initially developed in all the vasectomized monkeys and some of the atherosclerotic plaques showed accumulation of complement and immunoglobulin. An explanation of the vascular damage would be an immune complex vasculitis followed by endothlial damage and plaque deposition. The number of animals studied is not large and the control animals were not exactly age-matched to the experimental animals. Nevertheless given the minimal estimate that about half of human males show antisperm antibody titers following vasectomy and that these antibodies are directed at an antigen that would be expected to be continuously present in the blood stream of these individuals it would seem that a good deal of caution should be exercised in recommending further vasectomies before relevant human data are available.

Mixed erythrocyte-spermatozoa antiglobulin reaction (MAR test) for the detection of antibodies against spermatozoa in infertile males

SummaryThe direct mixed erythrocyte-spermatozoa antiglobulin reaction (MAR) has been evaluated as a test for sperm auto-antibodies in 775 semen specimens from 557 patients: the test was applicable to 664 samples (86 per cent) from 463 patients (83 per cent). Antisperm antibodies were also looked for in serum samples from 213 patients. A positive MAR test was obtained in 29 (85 per cent) of 34 patients with anti-sperm antibodies in serum, including 27 positive results (93 per cent) in 29 patients with antisperm antibody titres of more than 1 in 32. A negative MAR test was found in 174 (97 per cent) of 179 patients without antisperm antibodies in serum.This simple test is a valuable addition to seminal analysis as a screening test for the presence of antisperm antibodies. Subsequent estimation of serum and seminal plasma titres appears to be necessary to assess fully the likely effects of the antisperm antibodies on the patient's fertility.

Application of passive hemagglutination for evaluation of antisperm antibodies and a modified coombs' test for detecting male autoimmunity to sperm antigens

A rapid, specific, and sensitive assay using passive hemagglutination and Coombs' tests has been established for detecting male autoimmunity and female isoimmunity to sperm antigens. Antisperm antibody titers evaluated by this method were similar in 156 normal females, 400 pregnant females, 25 gonadal dysgenetics, 43 users of Oracon (an oral contraceptive), and 25 normal males. In contrast, in the evaluation of 50 couples with unexplained infertility, 16 males were found to have significantly elevated Coombs' autoantibody titers (primarily IgG) and correspondingly higher antisperm antibody titers in their serum and seminal plasma; another 28 had low autoantibody titers and low serum and seminal plasma antibody titers; and 6 had intermediate titers. The wives of 63% of the males with high autoantibody titers were found to be ‘isoimmune’, as compared with 7% of those with low titers. The isoimmune females had significantly higher antisperm antibody titers than did those with normal titers. In general, comparable titer values were obtained whether sperm extract or seminal plasma was used as the erythrocyte coat for passive hemagglutination. The titers were consistently higher in the seminal plasma than in the serum of males. Very little crossreactivity was apparent between anti- Candida and antisperm antibodies, and antibodies to blood group antigens did not appear to influence the results. When the results obtained by passive hemagglutination were compared with those obtained by immunofluorescence, Franklin-Dukes, and hanging drop interface methods, only those of the passive hemagglutination and Coombs' test correlated well with the results of postcoital tests and seminal analysis.

STEROID TREATMENT OF MALE SUBFERTIUTY CAUSED BY ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES

47 subfertile men with significant titres of antisperm antibodies were treated with one of two steroid regimens. The results were assessed by changes in sperm-counts and in serum antibody titres and by subsequent pregnancies. 15 oligozoospermic men were treated with prednisone 5 mg three times a day for 3-12 months. Sperm-counts became normal in 10 men and 4 of their wives became pregnant. 14 men with normal sperm-counts received the same treatment: antibody titres fell slightly and 3 of their wives became pregnant. 18 other men with normal sperm-counts were given one or more courses of methylprednisolone 96 mg/day for 7 days. There was a more pronounced fall in antibody titres in these men, and 7 of their wives became pregnant. Testicular biopsies in 3 men with high titres of antibodies and very low sperm-counts which became normal with prednisone showed adequate spermatogenesis; however, focal round-cell infiltration of seminiferous tubules was observed in 1 case. It is suggested that a steroid-responsive immune orchitis can occur spontaneously in man, and may contribute to the infertility of men with antisperm antibodies.

The Effects of Isoimmunization with Semen , on Fertility in the Turkey Hen

INTRODUCTIONMANY studies in mammalian species have shown a relationship between infertility and anti-sperm antibodies, but many others have not. This area of investigation has been reviewed by Tyler (1961) and Cohen (1969). McCartney (1923) reported that a single injection of fowl testes induced sterility in four chicken hens. However, Lamoreux (1940) found no fertility depression after semen injections but did detect high anti-sperm antibody titers. Wentworth and Mellen (1964) have shown that anti-sperm anti-bodies develop in chicken hens following intravaginal, intra-uterine and intraperitoneal artificial insemination (A.I.) and that antibody titer is negatively correlated with duration of fertility.The observation, made many times, that fertility in turkey hens declines during a breeding season of approximately 20–25 weeks led to the studies to be described. The decline in fertility is generally gradual but is sometimes dramatic and rapid with a flock showing a fertility drop of 10% or more per…