Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) to sperm from autoimmune men in infertile couples

Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) is produced by lymphocytes with receptors specific to sensitizing antigens. This principle was used to detect possible antigenic differences between sperm of autoimmune and nonautoimmune men. Sixteen fertile and 91 infertile couples were screened for cytotoxic and hemagglutinating antibodies to sperm from their husbands and controls. Their lymphocytes were tested for the production of LIF to sperm extracts and seminal plasma from the husbands and controls by a direct leukocyte migration inhibition assay. Twenty-nine of 35 men producing LIF to sperm and/or seminal plasma were positive for sperm antibodies (p = 0.0004, vs sperm antibody-negative controls). Twenty-three of 29 wives with LIF production had sperm-autoimmune husbands (p = 0.04). Leukocyte migration was significantly inhibited in sperm-autoimmune men by autologous sperm extracts and seminal plasma in contrast to control sperm extracts and seminal plasma (p = 0.0006 and 0.001, respectively). The wives of autoimmune men had significantly higher LIF responses to their husbands' sperm extracts than to other antigens (p = 0.02). Men with cytotoxic antibodies in their seminal plasma produced LIF to autologous sperm (p = 0.001). It is suggested that certain sperm and seminal plasma antigens of autoimmune men may lead to specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in both partners.