Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in serum, cervical mucus, and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). IgG and IgA ASA directed mostly against sperm head were found at similar concentrations in serum, cervical mucus, and FF of 2 of 34 patients. Ninety-one percent fertilization and 100% cleavage rates, respectively, were observed in one of the two patients. No fertilization occurred in the second patient. In both women, in vitro sperm penetration tests revealed hostile mucus and repeated postcoital tests were poor. It is concluded that the sperm-cervical mucus penetration test and mucus ASA measurements are useful in establishing the diagnosis of immunological infertility.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clarke GN, Hsieh C, Koh SH, Cauchi MN: Sperm antibodies, immunoglobulins, and complement in human follicular fluid. Am J Reprod Immunol 1984;5:179–181
Clarke GN, McBain JC, Lopata A, Johnston WIH: In vitro fertilization results from women with sperm antibodies in plasma and follicular fluid. Am J Reprod Immunol 1985; 8:130–131
Mandelbaum SL, Diamond MP, DeCherney AH: Relationship of antisperm antibodies to oocyte fertilization in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1987;4:644–651
Yovich J, Kay D, Stanger JD, Boettcher B: In vitro fertilization of oocytes from women with serum antisperm antibodies. Lancet 1984;1:369–370
Ackerman SB, Graff D, Van Uem JFHM, Swanson RJ, Veeck LL, Acosta AA, Garcia JE: Immunologic intertility and in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1984;42(3):474–477
Reichman J, Insler V, Serr DM: A modified in vitro spermatozoal penetration test. 1. Method. Int J Fertil 1973;18: 232–240
Kleinman D, Insler V, Leiberman JR, Glezerman M, Albotiano S, Potashnik G, Meizner I: Acid phosphatase levels in follicular fluids following induction of ovulation in in vitro fertilization patients. J Vitro Fert Embryo Transfer 1987;4: 181–184
Holcberg G, Kleinman D, Sarov I, Potashnik G, Insler V: Immunoperoxidase assay for detection of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to human spermatozoa in infertile women. Int J Fertil 1986;31:28–33
Ingerslev HJ, Poulsen F: Bromelin for liquefaction of cervical mucus in sperm antibody testing: Its effect on spermaglutinating immunoglobulin G. Fertil Steril 1980;33:61–63
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Potashnik, G., Kleinman, D., Insler, V. et al. Results of in vitro fertilization in women with antisperm antibodies in serum, cervical mucus, and follicular fluid. J Assist Reprod Genet 5, 199–201 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131122
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131122