Determination of sperm antibodies in human genital secretions by an ELISA technique

Sera and genital secretions of 178 infertile men and 40 infertile women were evaluated for antibodies against spermatozoa by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was shown that circulating sperm antibodies are not usually transudated into genital secretions and, on the other hand, that local antibodies found in cervical mucus or seminal plasma are not detectable in serum. Furthermore it was demonstrated that the solubilization of cervical mucus by bromelain almost completely removes antibody activities detectable by ELISA, whereas sonication of mucus does not affect the immunoglobulins. Sonication should thus be applied for liquefaction of cervical mucus in order to assess its antibody properties.