Related Experiment Videos
[Immunology and male hypofertility].
1Centre d'Immuno-Pathologie et l'Immunologie Expérimentale, l'INSERM (U 23), CNRS (UA 289), Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris.
Revue Francaise De Gynecologie Et D'Obstetrique
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Antisperm auto-immunization, involving antibodies against sperm membrane antigens, causes 3-15% of human hypofertility. These antibodies can impair sperm function and fertilization, often without prior genital issues.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Immunology
- Human Fertility
Context:
- Antisperm auto-immunization is implicated in 3-15% of human hypofertility cases.
- This condition involves antibodies targeting antigens on the spermatozoon membrane.
- It can be triggered by genital trauma or infections, leading to antigen reabsorption.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of antisperm auto-immunization in male infertility.
- To understand the mechanisms by which antibodies affect sperm function and fertilization.
Summary:
- Spontaneous agglutination of spermatozoa in ejaculation, even without prior pathological events, often indicates the presence of antisperm antibodies.
- These antibodies are found on ejaculated spermatozoa in 55% of cases where agglutination is observed.
- Antibodies bound to spermatozoa can hinder their transport through the cervix, migration to the ovocyte, and/or the gamete interaction.
Impact:
- The presence, quantity, class, and location of antibodies on the sperm membrane influence the severity of fertility impairment.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for diagnosing and potentially treating male factor infertility related to immunologic causes.
- This research contributes to the field of reproductive medicine by elucidating a significant cause of unexplained infertility.