Unexplained infertility: identification by a modified immunoradiometric assay

ABSTRACT

Several methods have been employed to measure antisperm antibodies with variable sensitivity and specificity in serum and secretion of infertile patients. All of them are not precise means for identification of the presence of antisperm antibodies for patients with unexplained infertility [Gilbert and Haas, 1980]. Therefore, we applied the modified radiolabeled antiglobulin test that has been used successfully to identify and quantitate the antibodies directed towards other human cell surface [Clarke, 1988]. We studied 118 patients in different groups to quantitate the circulating antisperm antibodies using the modified procedure. The obtained data revealed that; the highest and the most significant incidence were found in the patient's secretions [Semen and cervical mucus] with unexplained infertility, and also in the group of males with varicocele. Therefore, It is greatly advisable to use the modified radiolabeled technique as a quantitative assay, and then to help manage infertility in patients with unexplained an mediated infertility