Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in female sterility.

Cellular sensitization against spermatozoa as antigen was studied in 21 fertile and 41 infertile female subjects. In addition, 20 virgin girls and a group of 11 women presenting positive spermagglutinating (in equal 8) and immobilizing (n equal 3) antibodies were investigated. Cellular sensitization was expressed in terms of macrophage migration inhibitory activity (MIF-reaction). For this screening program washed and pooled spermatozoa (WPS) and sonicated spermatozoa solutions (sss) were used as antigens. In 52 to 72 per cent of all cases, including primary and secondary sterility of unexplained cause, a positive MIF-reaction was encountered. Women with humoral sperm antibodies always revealed a cellular sensitization. Only the group of virgin girls demonstrated in no case a positive MIF-reaction. The need for the identification of the specific fertility-diminishing antigens is stressed as the results indicate a cellular sensitization in all cases that had sperm contact.