Metabolic changes induced in human spermatozoa by subagglutinating concentrations of specific antibodies

The effects on sperm metabolism of subagglutinating concentrations of infertile female sera, containing antisperm antibody, were studied. Sera were selected by their differential agglutinating or immobilizing properties and by high titers of activity. Only the immobilizing antibodies were able to decrease sperm viability. Basal and succinate depending oxygen uptake, thus as progressive motility was decreased by sera producing mixed agglutination and more drastically by that producing immobilization independent of the presence of complement. The sera with head-to-head agglutination properties induced an increase in the above mentioned physiologic parameters. Tip of tail-to-tip of tail agglutinating sera having no effect on oxygen uptake were able to induce a significant increase in progressive motility. Conversion of 14C-Glucose to 14CO2 was decreased by sera that induced tip of tail-to-tip of tail agglutination and complement-independent immobilization. The sera which induced head-to=head agglutination and immobilization on the presence of complement, were without effect. None of the tested sera showed any acitivity over the conversion of 14C-Glucose to 14C-Lactate.