Incidence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies in infertile women with past Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Sex difference in anti-sperm antibodies

Background

Some diseases have sex differences. There have been no reports on the relationship between anti‐sperm antibodies (ASA) and sex differences.

Methods

ASA are detected by sperm‐immobilization test using patients' sera in women. In men, the ASA testing is generally performed by direct‐immunobead test.

Main findings

Sperm‐immobilizing antibodies in women inhibit sperm migration in their genital tract and exert inhibitory effects on fertilization. ASA bound to sperm surface in men also show inhibitory effect on sperm passage through cervical mucus. The fertilization rate of IVF significantly decreased when sperm were coated with higher numbers of ASA. For women with the antibodies, it is important to assess individual patients' SI₅₀ titers. In patients with continuously high SI₅₀ titers, pregnancy can be obtained only by IVF. For men with abnormal fertilizing ability by ASA, it is necessary to select intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Production of sperm‐immobilizing antibodies is likely to occur in women with particular HLA after exposure to sperm. The risk factors for ASA production in men are still controversial.

Conclusion

Attention to sex differences in specimens, test methods and the diagnosis of ASA should be paid. For patients with ASA, treatment strategies have been established by considering sex difference for each.

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in Egyptian women with unexplained infertility, comparing real-time PCR techniques to standard serology tests: case control study

BACKGROUND

To study the prevalence of Chlamydia infection in women with primary and secondary unexplained infertility using ELISA technique for antibody detection and real time, fully automated PCR for antigen detection and to explore its association with circulating antisperm antibodies (ASA).

METHODS

A total of 50 women with unexplained infertility enrolled in this case control study and a control group of 44 infertile women with a known cause of infertility. Endocervical specimens were collected for Chlamydia antigen detection using PCR and serum samples for antibodies detection. Circulating anti-sperm antibodies were detected using sperm antibody Latex Agglutination tests.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of Chlamydial infection in unexplained infertility cases as detected by both ELISA and PCR was 40 % (20/50). The prevalence of current Chlamydial genital infection as detected by real-time PCR was only 6.0 % (3/50); two of which were also IgM positive. Prevalence of ASA was 6.0 % (3/50); all were sero-negative for anti-C.trachomatis IgM and were PCR negative.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of Chlamydial infection in Egyptian patients with unexplained infertility is relatively high. In the setting of fertility investigations; screening for anti. C.trachomatis antibodies using ELISA, and treatment of positive cases should be considered. The presence of circulating ASA does not correlate with the presence of old or current Chlamydia infection in women with unexplained infertility.

Anticorps antispermatozoïdes : indications, étiologies et applications en 2011, de l’exploration de l’infertilité au concept d’immunocontraception masculine

La présente revue de la littérature a pour but de préciser en 2011 les techniques utilisées pour le dépistage des anticorps antispermatozoïdes (ACAS) et l’intérêt de ce dépistage dans diverses situations physiopathologiques mais aussi dans le choix du traitement des infertilités par les techniques d’assistance médicale à la procréation (AMP). De plus, l’étude des cibles et du rôle des ACAS dans l’infertilité a permis la mise au point d’un vaccin contraceptif masculin efficace dans certains modèles animaux et potentiellement utilisable chez l’homme.