[Immunology and male hypofertility]

In man, 3 to 15 p. cent of hypofertilities have been ascribed to an antisperm auto-immunization, consisting of antibodies against antigens located in the spermatozoid membrane. This autoimmunization may be triggered by traumatic or infectious processes in the genitalia which resulted in a massive reabsorption of these antigens. But very often, there are no previous pathological events nor an abnormal physical examination of the genitalia, and the antisperm auto-immunization is considered in view of the sole spontaneous agglutination of spermatozoids in the ejaculation. This agglutination, wether isolated or related to previous evocative events, indicates in 55 p. cent of the cases, the presence of these antibodies on ejaculation spermatozoids. Antibodies fixed on spermatozoids may prevent the transcervical transfer of these cells and their migration toward the ovocyte and/or jeopardize the interaction of the two gametes. The percentage of antibodies, their class and location on the cytoplasmic membrane, may all have an effect upon the level and magnitude of the impediment.