Studies of testicular and epididymal damage in relation to the occurrence of antisperm antibodies.

The relationship between testicular histopathology, follicle stimulating hormone levels, sperm density and the presence of antisperm antibodies was investigated. There was no association between damage to the seminiferous tubules and the presence of agglutinating or immobilising antisperm antibodies. In 2 patients with congenital obstructive azoospermia and pre-biopsy circulating antisperm antibody there was extensive lymphocytic, macrophage and plasma cell infiltration, fibrosis and perivasculitis on epididymal biopsy. Breaches in the blood epididymis barrier are worthy of further investigation when considering the genesis of antisperm antibodies.