Mixed antiglobulin reaction and tray agglutination test for detection of sperm antibodies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare levels of sperm-agglutinating antibodies in male and female sera, cervical ovulatory mucus, and seminal plasma by two different tests.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

408 women and 404 men with long-lasting unexplained infertility and recurrent IVF failure were immunologically examined. Tray agglutination and mixed antiglobulin reaction tests were used for the comparison of sperm-agglutinating antibodies in sera, in ovulatory cervical mucus, and in seminal plasma.

RESULTS

High secretory IgA positivity predominated in seminal plasma in 16 (3.9%) of infertile men and in cervical ovulatory mucus in 114 (27.9%) of infertile women. Positivity in two sperm antibodies together, in IgG and IgA, and IgM and IgE was also observed. Immunological anti-sperm antibodies in sera indicate high levels of sperm antibodies in IgG and IgM.

CONCLUSION

Sperm immunoglobulin specification is important for therapeutic influence upon immunocompetent cells.