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Antigenic differences in human sperm samples related to various morphological abnormalities
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.
Archives of Andrology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Antibodies targeting lithium diiodosalicylate-solubilized sperm showed increased binding to abnormal sperm cells, particularly those with midpiece defects. This suggests changes in sperm antigenicity correlate with structural abnormalities and may impact fertilizing capacity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Immunology
- Sperm Analysis
Background:
- Male infertility is a significant concern, with unexplained and male factor infertility affecting many couples.
- Sperm morphology is a key indicator of male reproductive health and potential fertility.
- Understanding sperm antigenicity and its relationship to structural abnormalities is crucial for diagnosing and treating infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between sperm morphological abnormalities and antibody binding to specific sperm antigens.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of antibodies against protamine, fertilization antigen-1 (FA-1), and lithium diiodosalicylate- (LIS-) solubilized sperm preparations in infertile men.
- To determine if changes in sperm antigenicity are associated with increased structural defects.
Main Methods:
- Sperm samples from fertile and infertile men were analyzed for morphological abnormalities.
- Antibodies (Abs) against protamine, FA-1, and LIS-solubilized sperm were generated and affinity-purified.
- Iodinated Fab' antibody fragments were used in radioimmunobinding assays to measure antibody binding to sperm cells.
- Binding data was correlated with the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm, including head, midpiece, and tail defects.
Main Results:
- Anti-protamine Fab' binding showed no significant correlation with sperm morphological defects.
- Anti-FA-1 Fab' binding showed no significant correlation, though a trend was observed with midpiece defects.
- Anti-LIS sperm Fab' binding demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the percentage of abnormal sperm, especially those with midpiece defects (r = .80, p < .0001).
Conclusions:
- Increased sperm morphological abnormalities, particularly midpiece defects, are associated with enhanced binding of antibodies to LIS-solubilized sperm preparations.
- These findings suggest that structural abnormalities in sperm lead to changes in their antigenicity.
- Altered sperm antigenicity may further compromise the fertilizing capacity of morphologically abnormal sperm, offering potential diagnostic insights.