[Flow cytometry application in the evaluation of antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile people and prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the following study was to assess antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile men and women, as well as from prepubertal boys by means of flow cytometry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We tested sera samples of infertile and fertile adult populations, prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders and healthy prepubertal boys. The indirect immunobead test and flow cytometry were used to detect antisperm antibodies.

RESULTS

The comparison of antisperm antibody levels in sera samples of adult infertile versus healthy controls (men and women) evaluated by means of flow cytometry did not reveal statistically significant differences. The only significant correlation found were results obtained by IDIBT and FCM for IgG antisperm antibodies for infertile adult group (r = 0.507, p = 0.012). The comparison of antisperm antibody levels in sera samples from prepubertal boys revealed statistically significant differences for all tested antibody isotypes. Diagnostic values compared for both assays showed markedly better discriminatory ability of flow cytometry for analyzed groups of prepubertal boys than for adult populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Flow cytometry test may be used to verify antisperm antibody levels in prepubertal boys with testicular failures.

ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES IN PREPUBERTAL BOYS WITH CRYPTORCHIDISM

The presence of antisperm antibodies in male individuals before puberty is controversial due to the lack of finally differentiated male germ cells. It was questioned whether the pathologic conditions of the male gonad may influence antisperm antibody formation in individuals before puberty. Sera samples of 76 individuals and 10 healthy boys with testicular failure (mainly uni- or bilateral cryptorchidism) were examined by means of indirect immunobead-binding test (IDIBT). The presence of antisperm antibodies was found in 3.95% of the studied subjects. Antibodies recognizing antigenic determinants present on the surface of mature sperm cells may be produced before puberty in individuals suffering from cryptorchidism or the other gonadal disorders. Antisperm antibodies that did develop in a minority of the studied male population may be proof for individual predispositions to autoimmune reactions.