Immunological consequences of vasectomy: I. Prospective study through one-year postvasecotomy

Autoimmunity to sperm developed in two-thirds of men within 1 year after vasectomy as measured by sperm agglutinating and sperm immobilizing antibody tests. Sperm antibody responses to vasectomy were greater in younger than in older men. A direct relationship was apparent between increasing incidence of sperm immobilizing antibody and genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease. Some vasectomized men developed immune responses to autoantigens other than spermatozoa. Increased antithyroglobulin activity was evenly divided between patients who formed sperm antibody and those who did not. Antinuclear activity was more frequent in patients who were sperm antibody responders.