The effect of female antisperm antibodies on in vitro fertilization, early embryonic development, and pregnancy outcome (original) (raw)
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Fertility and Sterility, 1987
Antisperm antibodies (ASA) appear to impair reproduction; however, their clinical significance in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (lVF-ET) is unestablished. For examination of this question, the immunobead binding technique was used to identify JgA, JgG, and JgM ASA in the serum, semen, and follicular fluid (FF) of 40 couples undergoing JVF-ET. ASA binding to sperm tail tip did not predict the fertilization rate of uniformly inseminated mature oocytes. Similarly, ASA binding to sperm head in semen and male serum did not predict fertilization. However, the fertilization rate in couples with ASA to sperm head (ASA-H) of at least one isotype in female serum (n = 6) was significantly less than in those without ASA-H (n = 34; 34% versus 74%, P < 0.01). Among these women, oocyte fertilization rates were 33% versus 71% (P < 0.001). Sixty percent of women whose ova did not fertilize (n = 5) had ASA-H in their serum versus 6% of those whose ova did (n = 35; P < 0.05). The presence of ASA-H in FF also correlated with fertilization. ASA-H in female serum reduced the zygote cleavage rate from 91% to 67% (P = 0.51). We conclude that the presence of ASA-H in female serum and FF is associated with reduced fertilization in JVF-ET.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2005
Vujisic´S, Lepej SŽ , Jerkovic´L, Emedi I, Sokolic´B. Antisperm antibodies in semen, sera and follicular fluids of infertile patients: relation to reproductive outcome after in vitro fertilization. AJRI 2005; 54:13-20 Ó Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005 PROBLEM: Data given in the literature, regarding the influence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in the semen and/or sera on in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure outcome are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of ASA in semen, peripheral blood and follicular fluid as well as to determine total immunoglobulin concentration in the serum and follicular fluid. Selected parameters were analyzed with regard to IVF outcome. METHOD OF STUDY: The study enrolled 52 married couples. ASA in the semen was determined by direct immunobead mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR Screen test), while in the peripheral blood and follicular fluid was determined by indirect immunobead MAR Screen test. Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) concentration in the follicular fluid and serum was determined by a liquid-phase immunoprecipitation assay with nephelometric end-point detection and analyzed with regard to IVF outcome. RESULTS: Semen MAR test IgG was <20% in 38 couples, and >20% in 14 couples. Fertilization (73.2% versus 71.5%) and pregnancy rates (28.9% versus 28.57%) in both groups of patients were not significantly different. The results of direct and indirect MAR test were not associated with fertilization and pregnancy rates. Total serum IgG, IgM and IgA in infertile women were within normal ranges. Follicular fluid IgG was within normal values for serum samples, while IgA and IgM were decreased. CONCLUSION: The presence of ASA on sperm or in the serum and follicular fluid was not associated with IVF outcome in the couples with good quality semen characteristic.
Evaluation of serum antisperm antibodies in infertility
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, 2011
If a couple fails to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected and regular intercourse, it is an indication for investigation. Overall factors responsible for infertility comprise 30-40% in the male, 40-55% in the female, and ∼10% in both partners. In ~10% cases the causes of infertility remain unexplained. Cervical factors of infertility were present in 5-10% of infertile couples 1. Abnormal cervix and its secretion are responsible for infertility in ~5-10% of women 2 .
Fertility and Sterility, 1990
Intrauterine insemination (lUI) is a common therapeutic approach for infertile couples. There has been concern however, that this technique may enhance the development of circulating antisperm antibodies in women. Because spermatozoa are immunologically foreign to women and lUI involves the placement of washed motile spermatozoa directly into the uterine cavity, bypassing the protective cervical filtration mechanism, it has been postulated that antisperm antibodies may appear in circulation after IUI. In this study we address this hypothesis by testing women for the development of serum antisperm antibodies after repeated lUI procedures. Each woman acted as its own control and was evaluated before and after various lUI cycles using three different assays for antisperm antibodies, i.e., agglutination, complement mediated immobilization, and immunoglobulin-specific indirect immunobead assay. The patient population included 41 women undergoing lUI with husband (39 patients) or donor
Vaccines, 2019
Sperm of humans, non-human primates, and other mammalian subjects is considered to be antigenic. The effect of changes in autoimmunity on reproductive cells such as spermatozoa and oocytes play a critical but indistinct role in fertility. Antisperm antibodies (ASAs) are invariably present in both females and males. However, the degree of ASA occurrence may vary according to individual and gender. Although the extent of infertility due to ASAs alone is yet to be determined, it has been found in almost 9–12% of patients who are infertile due to different causes. Postcoital presence of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract of women is not a contributory factor in ASA generation. However, ASA generation may be induced by trauma to the vaginal mucosa, or by anal or oral sex resulting in the deposition of sperm inside the digestive tract. It is strongly believed that, in humans and other species, at least some antibodies may bind to sperm antigens, causing infertility. This form of infert...
The Possible Role of Antiovary Antibodies in Repeated In Vitro Fertilization Failures
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 1999
The possible role of antiooary antibodies in repeated in citro fertilization fuilures. A J R l 1999; 42:292-296 0 Munksgaard, Copenhagen PROBLEM: The study was conducted to investigate the possible role of circulating ovarian autoantibodies (ov-ab) in patients with repeated in uitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) failure and to evaluate the effectiveness of immunosuppression treatment in these patients. METHOD OF STUDY: The study group comprised 80 IVF patients who had five or more failed treatment cycles (mean 10.2; range 7-22). The presence of ov-ab was compared between these women and 1) 50 IVF patients who conceived during the first three treatment cycles; 2) 50 healthy nulligravidae. All participants were seronegative to nonorgan-specific and antithyroid autoantibodies. Patients in the study group who were positive for ov-ab were treated with 10 mgiday prednisone starting 1 month before ovulation induction. Embryo grading was compared in the IVF cycles before and after treatment. RESULTS: Ov-ab were found in ten patients (12.5%)) in the study group, compared to none in the control groups (P = 0.01). Nine of the patients positive for ov-ab were treated with prednisone for their following cycle. A statistically significant improvement in embryo grading was noted. Three patients conceived after treatment (33%1), with a take-home baby rate of 22%, compared to only six patients (8.6%) who conceived among the rest of the seronegative study group, with a take-home baby rate CONCLUSIONS: Ov-ab are a possible marker of an autoimmune disorder that may be one of the causes of repeated IVF failures. Immunosuppression treatment may prove efficient in ov-ab seropositive patients with repeated IVF failures by improving embryo grading and pregnancy rate. of 7.1Yo (P = 0.05).
Antisperm Antibodies in Women with unexplained Infertility
Qatar medical journal, 2009
Unexplained infertility occurs in many couples of childbearing age, immune mechanisms have been postulated in this disorder for the last few decades. Circulating antibodies against spermatozoa present in serum and seminal plasma have been especially implicated. This autoimmunity against spermatozoa has been investigated in males, while the isoimmunity (in the females) has got low attention. Fifty women with unexplained infertility and twenty fertile women were involved in this case-control study. ELISA test was used to detect antisperm antibody (ASA) from cervical mucus (CM) and serum specimens of both groups of women. CM was collected at mid-cycle period and dissolved mechanically (not by bromeline). Thirty percent of infertile women have IgG-ASA in their serum and 20% have IgA-ASA in the CM, while 22% of fertile women have IgG-ASA in their serum and no fertile women have any titer of IgA-ASA in their CM specimens. Only CM-IgA-ASA of infertile women showed significant statistical correlation with cellular property of CMwhich was scored according to Insler score. It is concluded that ELISA test is more sensitive and specific than microagglutination tests for detection of serum and secreted ASA. Also, secretory IgA-ASA are more indicative and have potential role in immunological infertility as iso-immunity than IgG-ASA. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that immunological infertility should be considered as an important cause of infertility and have to gain a special interest by clinicians.
Male immunologic infertility: Sperm performance on in vitro fertilization
Fertility and Sterility, 1997
Objective: To analyze sperm performance in a group of patients with male immunologic infertility treated with IVF-ET. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Setting: Patients attending a private lVF clinic. Patient(s): The study group comprised seven men with significant levels of surface-bound antisperm antibodies treated in nine IVF cycles. The control group comprised nine couples with female tubal infertility and no indication of male factor infertility treated on the same cycle. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization rate, early embryonic development, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rate (PR). Result(s): Forty-six (44.2%) of 104 inseminated oocytes were fertilized in the study group compared with 65 (84.4%) of 77 in the control group, which was a significant difference. Surfacebound antisperm antibodies significantly inhibited early embryonic cleavage in the study group (13 [28.3%] of 46 embryos with at least 3 blastomeres) compared with the control group (41 [63.1%] of 65 embryos, with at least 3 blastomeres). The percentage of good-quality embryos (grades 1 and 2) was similar in the study and control groups (71.7% and 78.5%, respectively). The percentage of poor-quality embryos (grade 4 and two pronuclei) was higher in the study group compared with the control group (13.9% versus 9.2%, respectively); however, the difference was not significant. The implantation rate and clinical PR were lower in the study group (3% and ll%, respectively) compared with the control group (9.5% and 44%, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion(s): The fertilization rate and early embryonic cleavage of human embryos was found to be reduced significantly in patients with high levels of surface-bound antisperm antibodies. Moreover, embryonic quality and the PR may be compromised by the presence of significant levels of surface-bound antisperm antibodies.
Frequency of antisperm antibodies in infertile women
Journal of reproduction & infertility, 2011
Infertility is one of the common problems seen in couples of reproductive age. Presence of antisperm antibodies in semen and serum are amongst the causes of immunoinfertility. This study was performed to determine antisperm antibodies in cervicovaginal secretions and serum of infertile women and also measure serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA). The study consisted of 45 infertile women consulting the Kammal El-Sammrari Hospital for infertility from 2008 to 2009 and the control group consisted of 30 fertile women. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) were measured in the participants using single radial immune diffusion. Antisperm antibodies (ASAs) were detected in the serum of both infertile and control groups using indirect immune fluorescence test. ASAs were also detected in cervicovaginal secretion using direct sperm agglutination test in both infertile and control groups. Antisperm antibodies were found in the cervicovaginal secretions (62.2%) and se...
Human Reproduction
The clinical significance of antispermatozoal antibody (ASA) testing in serum samples with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) technique using a commercially available kit was evaluated in 95 randomly chosen couples under infertility investigation. Results were related to many other parameters of male and female fertility, e.g. outcome of sperm analysis, testing of sperm functional capacity including the crossed in-vitro sperm-cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT), results of a microbial screening in genital secretions, testing for local IgG-and IgA-class sperm antibodies in semen by means of the mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) and the subsequent pregnancy rate in a prospective study. Results of ASA testing did not show any relationship with medical history and results of clinical examination, the semen quality including sperm function tests and seminal cultures, outcome of the crossed SCMPT, and local ASA. All patients with MAR (IgG or IgA) positive ejaculates were ELISA negative in serum samples. No significant difference with regard to circulating ASA (ELISA) was found in couples with and without a subsequent pregnancy. Furthermore there was no significant difference of antibody levels in subfertile female patients, virgins (n = 36), 'normal' pregnant women (n = 39) and prostitutes (n = 40). In summary, the results of this study clearly demonstrate that the use of this method for detection of antisperm antibodies during infertility investigation cannot be recommended.