[Sperm antigens and sperm antibodies].

A review is given about the actual knowledge of sperm antigens and antibodies. For the detection of sperm antibodies a great number of tests exists with different value for the clinical work. The penetration tests are suitable for screening investigations. It has been established that in the last time the direct mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR test), the immunobead binding technique, and the panning procedure were involved in the searching of antibodies bounded on the sperm cells. For the evaluation of circulating sperm antibodies in serum, cervical mucus, and seminal plasma the agglutination tests, the immobilization test, and the indirect MAR test are recommendable. The determination of immunoglobulin class of sperm antibodies is important because the IgA globulins are more effective than IgG in these cases.