Effects of anti sperm antibodies on infertility in Egyptian couples

ABSTRACT

Immunoinfertility is one of several causes of infertility in humans. Dozens of sperm antigens have been isolated and characterized in association with infertility. Chronic infection, vasectomy, heavy metals and testicular cancer and torsion may induce the production of anti sperm antibodys [ASAs]. They may be responsible for decreased motility and sperm penetration of cervical mucus, and the blockage of the acrosome reaction and the sperm-egg interaction. This study was conducted to determine the ASAs levels in couples with primary and secondary infrtility. Sixty couples were examined, group A included 29 couples with primary infertility, group B included 21 couples with secondary infertility and group C included 10 couples having children which were taken as a control group. Serum prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, FSH and TSH concentrations were normal for all females. Semen analysis for all males was done and the results were within normal ranges. ASAs levels were significantly increased in both groups of primary and secondary infertility