• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.925-934
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• 1997

This study was directed at inducing the production of antibodies by immunizing heifers with bovine sperm antigen and on measuring the serum antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA) and agglutination test. The effect of antisperm antibodies on fertilizing capacity of bovine spermatozoa was evaluated. 1. Three heifers between 12- and 15- month old were immunized with bovine spermatozoa or phosphate-buffered saline. In heifers immunized with bovine spermatozoa serum IgG level was highest between 3 weeks and 5 weeks postimmunization detected by IFA. The antibody levels persisted through week 7 and slowly declined until week 20 and then antisperm antibodies were localized on spermatozoa. The fluorescent antisperm antibodies were detected at 2~20 weeks and at 6~9 weeks postinoculation on acrosome and tail, respectively. Among 21 sera from repeat breeder cows, only one cow has shown positive antisperm antibody response detected by IFA. 2. In spite of vital rate of bovine sperm after swim-up was not significantly affected by different concentration of antisperm antibodies in sera, the numbers of bovine sperm after swim-up were significantly reduced in proportion to the increased concentration of antibodies. Above 1/512 dilution of antibody neither influence on vital rate and numbers of bovine sperm nor sperm agglutination after swim-up. The study has also shown that the vital rate and number of sperm after swim-up and capacitation were also significantly reduced by the addition of antisperm antibodies. Although antisperm antibodies did not influence on the acrosome reaction rate of sperm during swim-up, did significantly reduce the sperm acrosome reaction rate after capacitation. The studies have resulted that the bovine antisperm antibodies can prevent the sperm motility by agglutination and block the capacitation and acrosome reaction of bovine sperm.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1998

To investigate the influences on semen parameters and fertilizing capacity of immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes and regional distribution of antisperm antibody (ASA) on the human sperm surface. Sixty-seven ASA-positive patients were compared with 96 ASA-negative donors. ASAs in semen showed significant negative effects on both semen parameters and fertilizing capacity; in those with ASAs in the sperm head and/or tail, the reductions were significant. In the head as well as the tail, there was close correlation between fertilizing capacity and both IgG and IgA. Both semen parameters and fertilizing capacity are significantly affected by the presence of ASA in semen. In particular, antibodies IgG to sperm head and/or tail, and antibodies IgA to sperm tail appeared to have a highly detrimental effect on fertilizing capacity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1985

Various immunoserologic and cellular immunity techniques have been used to explore the presence of antisperm antibodies in the serum and seminal plasma of male patients and in the blood and genital fluid of infertile women. Several recent comparative investigations using various assays to detect and quantitate levels of antibody to human spermatozoa have produced widely varying results. So the first WHO workshop on iso- and autonatibodies to human spermatozoa in 1974 tried to establish some unification in the techniques used. The purpose of this study is to compare the results of two methods-the Kibrick macro-agglutination test and the Isojima micro-immobilization test-using the same test materials based on recommandation from WHO workshop. The results are as follows: 1. Twenty normal controls showed negative reactions in all the 2 tests. Out of 25 patients, the positive sera were noted in 15 (60%) on the Kibrick test and 13 (51%) on the Isojima test. 2. Twelve (48%) out of 25 patients showed positive reactions in the two tests, and 16 (64%) out of 25 patients showed positive reaction in one or more tests. 3. The titers of the antisperm antibodies on the Kibrick test was higher than that on the Isojima test. Therefore, it seems to be possible to increase the chances of detection of the antisperm antibodies, if two tests are imployed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 1994

With the indirect immunobead antisperm antibody test(IBT) a prospective study was conducted to evaluate the immune status of 38 men before and after vasovasostomy. The pregnancy and postoperative semen analysis were evaluated. The results were compared between pregnant (n=14) and non-pregnant(n=24) group. The postoperative sperm motility was inversely correlated with the titer of the preoperative and postoperative IgG(p<0.01). The preoperative and postoperative titer of IgG were significantly higher than the titer of IgA or IgM(p<0.05). The mean percentage of the positive IBT(20 per cent binding or more) of the pregnant group was significantly lower than non-pregnant group in the preoprative and postoperative IgG(p<0.05). Immunobead binding restricted to the head and tail of a sperm in IgG was predominant and significantly lower in the pregnant group (p<0.05). In conclusion, IgG especially immunobead binding to the head and tail can be used as a sensitive screening assay for antisperm antibodies after vasovasostomy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.186-193
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• 2020

Objective: The effectiveness of Staphylococcus protein A (SPA) in improving the penetration ability of sperm and reducing antisperm antibody (ASA) titers in immunologically infertile males was evaluated. Methods: Seminal fluid samples were obtained from 15 infertile men, and ASA titers were assessed with the latex agglutination test. Identification of immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and characterization of the antigens involved in the immune response were performed using indirect immunofluorescence. Local ASAs typically present as a mixture of IgG and IgA classes. The capillary tube penetration method was used to assess the capability of spermatozoa to penetrate the cervical mucus (CM). Results: ASAs associated with the neck region of sperm showed a significantly lower migration distance in the CM of infertile females than ASAs associated with the head or tail segments. ASA-positive seminal fluid exhibited significant increases in the mean migration distance (2.6 ± 1.4 cm vs. 1.54 ± 1.1 cm, respectively; p< 0.001) and sperm concentration (174 ± 121.0 × 10³/mL vs. 101 ± 93.7 × 10³/mL, respectively; p= 0.033) after treatment with SPA compared to pre-treated samples. A significant reduction (p< 0.01) in the recorded ASA titer was detected. Conclusion: These results indicate that SPA can be used as a sorting regimen for insemination programs. However, further studies are warranted to assess its influence on pregnancy rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

Male factors account for 20%-50% of cases of infertility and in 25% of cases, the etiology of male infertility is unknown. Effective treatments are well-established for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, male accessory gland infection, retrograde ejaculation, and positive antisperm antibody. However, the appropriate treatment for idiopathic male infertility is unclear. Empirical medical treatment (EMT) has been used in men with idiopathic infertility and can be divided into two categories based on the mode of action: hormonal treatment and antioxidant supplementation. Hormonal medications consist of gonadotropins, androgens, estrogen receptor blockers, and aromatase inhibitors. Antioxidants such as vitamins, zinc, and carnitines have also been widely used to reduce oxidative stress-induced spermatozoa damage. Although scientifically acceptable evidence of EMT is limited because of the lack of large, randomized, controlled studies, recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses have shown that the administration of gonadotropins, anti-estrogens, and oral antioxidants results in a significant increase in the live birth rate compared with control treatments. Therefore, all physicians who treat infertility should bear in mind that EMT can improve semen parameters and subsequent fertility potential through natural intercourse.