Influence of antisperm antibodies on the acrosome reaction as determined by flow cytometry.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of antisperm antibodies on the acrosome reaction (AR).

DESIGN

Clinical study.

SETTING

University of Marburg, Department of Andrology, Clinical Training Center of the European Academy of Andrology.

PATIENT(S): Spermatozoa from a pool of healthy donors were incubated with 30 seminal plasma samples from infertile men containing antisperm antibodies; they were compared to a control group of 10 samples without antisperm antibodies and five samples with buffer only.

INTERVENTION(S): The spontaneous acrosome reaction (SAR) and the induced acrosome reaction (IAR) by calcium ionophore A23187 were observed and determined by means of a flow cytometer. Flow cytometric double-staining estimates of acrosomal integrity were determined by using a monoclonal antibody (TUS 19), marked with a secondary fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibody. Cell viability was determined by counterstaining with propidium iodide (PI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of acrosome reacted spermatozoa.

RESULT(S): The spermatozoa treated with antisperm antibodies showed significantly higher SAR and IAR responses than the control group.

CONCLUSION(S): Some of the antisperm antibodies from individual patients are able to enhance the acrosome reaction in donor sperm, but none of them appeared to inhibit acrosome reaction.