Antisperm Antibodies (AA)
Antisperm antibodies can be found in
the seminal plasma, on the surface of the spermatozoa and in the serum. They
can also be found in the female, both in the serum and the cervical mucus. They
can be produced ion the sex accessory glands ion the male or in the uterine
cervix of the female. AA can interfere with sperm motility, viability,
sperm-mucus penetration, capacitation and sperm oocyte interaction.
Two types of antibodies are noticed,
sperm immobilization antibodies and agglutinate in the ejaculate or the sperm
motility is poor. They may be seen in cases of unexplained infertility also.
There are several tests for Antisperm
antibodies in males. These are Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction (MAR) and Immunobead
Test (IBT)
Having diagnosed presence of
antibodies to own husband’s sperms what Tr we have at our disposal?? Treatment
can be given by:
1.
Sperm wash to remove the plasma and
intrauterine insemination. Sperm wash can remove the free antibodies in the
semen but not those bound to the sperm.
2.
Addition of protease to the culture
medium is said to disagglutinate the sperm.
3.
Immunosuppressant with corticoids can
decrease antibody production and binding between antigen and antibody. But
there is no agreement upon the dosage and duration of steroid administration.
The regime is not popular because of serious side effects caused by
corticosteroids. Even assisted reproduction has shown variable results.
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