Effect of ACTH on contralateral testicular damage and cytotoxic antisperm antibodies after unilateral testicular ischaemia in the rat.

Unilateral testicular ischaemia in the rat results in morphological damage in the contralateral testis (sympathetic orchiopathia). An increase in serum cytotoxic antisperm antibodies and serum IgM levels seen in this condition when compared to controls was reduced by daily i.m. administration of a synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) for 7 days. ACTH would appear to be acting as an immunosuppressant, possibly reducing the effect of this autoimmune condition on subsequent fertility.