Sperm migration-inhibiting antibody in human cervicovaginal secretions.

Antisperm activity was detected in cervicovaginal secretions from some normal women, and more frequently in women with sterility of unknown etiology and in pregnant women, particularly in the early months of pregnancy. This antisperm activity was detected using the technique of inhibition of the migration of sperm up a capillary tube. This activity was removed with anti-IgM antiserum but not with anti-IgA or anti-IgG sera. The activity eluted from a Sephadex G-200 column with the excluded volume. This is felt to be presumptive evidence that there is, in cervicovaginal secretions, antibody to antigens on the surface of sperm. There is evidence that this antibody was locally produced since serum from the same individuals did not have the sperm inhibiting activity.