Serum sperm antibodies are not elevated after mumps orchitis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the level of serum sperm antibodies after mumps orchitis.

DESIGN

Controlled descriptive study.

SETTING

Academic research environment.

PATIENT(S): Seventy-four mumps orchitis patients.

INTERVENTION(S): Sampling of serum at different intervals after the onset of orchitis symptoms: 1 to 7 days, 31 to 60 days, and 61 to 431 days.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Level of serum sperm antibodies, using Kibrick's gelatin agglutination test, Friberg's tray agglutination test, Isojima's sperm immobilization test, and ELISA.

RESULT(S): Clinically relevant sperm antibody values were detected by the Friberg method among patients tested from 1 to 7 days (10.5%) and 61 to 431 days (10.5%) after the onset of disease. The Isojima test revealed a statistically insignificant higher incidence among patients at 61 to 431 days (31.6%) as compared with those sampled at 1 to 7 days (10.5%). None of the orchitis sera tested positive by the Kibrick and ELISA techniques. The established incidences did not differ significantly from the results for negative controls (blood donors) and were lower than the values acquired from positive controls (males with unexplained infertility).

CONCLUSION(S): Mumps orchitis does not cause enhanced humoral immunity to spermatozoa.