A modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antisperm antibodies

To find optimal test conditions of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antisperm antibodies (ASA), several variations (solid phases, antigen load, incubations etc.) have been performed. In contrast to the so far used polystyrene microtiter plates, which have to be coated with spermatozoa by the help of glutaraldehyde, we applied positively charged PVC microtiter plates being able to adsorb unfixed spermatozoa and thus avoiding alteration of spermatozoal antigens by glutaraldehyde. The ELISA proved to be more sensitive than conventional methods, e.g. the GAT, the SIT and the TAT, and also more effective since the technique allows screening of more than one hundred test samples for ASA within one day. First results are presented evaluating sera and seminal plasma of andrological and dermatological patients and ten known fertile men for ASA by the described ELISA technique.