Antigenicity of frozen and fresh spermatozoa

Since cryopreservation of spermatozoa causes surface changes, we tested whether specific antigens associated with the plasmalemma might be dislodged or destroyed during freezing. When we compared the use of frozen sperm with the use of fresh sperm in indirect immunofluorescence tests for antisperm antibodies, we found changes in antigenicity. There was a decrease in antigenicity of the acrosomal region, and antigenicity of the sperm tail was increased with the addition of 10% glycerol, with or without cryopreservation. These results suggest that women who are infertile and, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence, have antibodies to sperm may be aided by artificial insemination with the husband's cryopreserved sperm.