Antisperm antibodies and male infertility

Two hundred males attending a fertility clinic and 65 men who had fathered one or more children were screened for sperm antibodies using sperm agglutination and immobilisation tests. The incidence of sperm antibodies was significantly higher in the former group. Agglutinin and immobilisin were not related to sperm concentration, morphology, ejaculate volume, seminal plasma zinc, magnesium, acid phosphatase and fructose. However, sperm motility and viability were significantly reduced in the presence of sperm antibodies. There appeared to be no relationship between the presence of antisperm antibodies and Mycoplasma, aerobic or anaerobic organisms. There was a positive correlation between agglutinating and immobilising antibodies in serum and seminal plasma. This study suggests that sperm antibodies at a significant titre may lower male fertility.