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A convenient mixed immunobeads screen for antisperm antibodies during routine semen analysis
M L Evans1, P J Chan, W C Patton
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California 92350, USA.
Insights
Combining leftover immunobeads offers a convenient method for screening antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm. This novel approach demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity, matching established methods.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Clinical diagnostics
Background:
- Antisperm antibodies (ASAs) can impair fertility.
- Accurate detection of ASAs is crucial for reproductive health assessments.
- Current methods for ASA detection can be time-consuming or require specific sample preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel, combined immunobeads screen for detecting antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm.
- To assess the convenience and efficacy of using leftover IgG, IgA, and IgM immunobeads.
- To compare the performance of the combined immunobeads screen against established methods like the SpermMar and standard immunobead test.
Main Methods:
- A prospective comparative study design was employed.
- Donor human sperm, initially negative for ASAs, were used.
- Sperm specimens were divided, with one portion spiked with antisera containing ASAs to serve as a positive control.
Main Results:
- The combined immunobeads screen achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity for detecting ASAs.
- Qualitative results from the combined immunobeads screen consistently matched those of both the SpermMar and standard immunobead tests.
- Percentages of bound sperm in the combined screen correlated with the SpermMar test results.
Conclusions:
- The combined immunobeads screen is a viable and convenient method for detecting antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm.
- This screening approach showed no benefit in washing sperm prior to testing, offering flexibility.
- The screen is adaptable for both unwashed and washed sperm samples, enhancing its utility.
Objective:
To determine if leftover unused IgG, IgA, and IgM immunobeads could be combined as a convenient screen for antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm. For comparisons, the mixed antiglobulin reaction (SpermMar) and immunobead test were performed.
Design:
Prospective comparative study.
Setting:
Clinical and academic research environment.
Subject(S):
Donor human sperm negative for antisperm antibodies.
Intervention(S):
Sperm specimens (n = 9) were equally divided and sera with antisperm antibodies added to one portion (positive control).
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Assessment of antisperm antibodies in sperm.
Result(S):
The mixed immunobeads screen qualitative results were the same for both the SpermMar and immunobead tests. The mixed immunobeads screen (positive when > or =10% motile sperm was bound) had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The percentages of bound sperm for the mixed immunobeads screen correlated with the SpermMar but not the immunobead test. The mixed immunobeads screen intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation were 28.9% and 45.6%, respectively.
Conclusion(S):
Matching results between the mixed immunobeads screen and the SpermMar or immunobead test suggested that the screen could be used to detect antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm. There was no advantage to washing the sperm, although the screen was flexible and applicable for both unwashed and washed sperm.
