Immunological and clinical consequences of vasectomy

Blood samples from 109 vasectomized and 100 non-vasectomized fertile men were tested for antisperm antibodies using Tray Agglutination Test (TAT) and Sperm Immobilization Test (SIT), Cell Mediated Immunity to sperm using Leukocyte Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT). Incidence of antisperm antibodies in vasectomized group was 76.2% by TAT and 13.8% by SIT whereas in control group was 11% (p less than 0.001) and 3% (P less than 0.01) respectively. Titre of TAT antibodies increased with post vasectomy period even beyond 20 years post vasectomy. High Incidence of TAT titre of greater than 1:250 was observed in vasectomized men with post operative complications. No significant incidence of positive LMIT to sperm antigens was detected in vasectomized group as compared to control group.