Antisperm Antibody Detection by Immunobead Test (IBT) after Vasectomy Reversal: A Preliminary Study / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

A group of 32 men, who had undergone vasectomy reversal and had been infertile for at least 1 year in spite of normal semen characteristics, were tested with direct immunobead test ( IBT) for immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG antisperm antibodies bound to sperm surface. A test was positive if 50 % of the motile sperm had 2 attached beads. The overall positive rate of antisperm antibodies was 25% (8/32) and the positive rate of direct test for IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies was as follows for IgA 12.5% ( 4/32) and IgG 25% (8/32). Of the 8 IBT positive patients, IgG antisperm antibodies were present in all patients with positive direct IBT. So it was suggested that presence of localized IgG antisperm antibodies made a important role in infertility after vasectomy reversal. The majority of IgA and IgG binding was directed to the head and entire sperm surface with a minor incidence to the tail. Clinical definition of direct IBT results and exact role of antisperm antibodies need to be developed in conjunction with future fertility rates of IBT positive patients.