[Spermatozoal antibodies in cervical mucus and in the luminal fluid of the uterus in sterile patients]

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1989 Mar;49(3):248-51. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1035747.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Poor postcoital tests in infertile patients may be due to dysmucurrhoea, low sperm count, or specific antibodies against spermatozoa. Using a latex agglutination test ("Sperm-antibody-slide-test", Fa. Biotec, Hannover), we examined the cervical and uterine secretions of the patients for sperm antibodies. The results showed a close correlation between a positive sperm-antibody-test and a poor postcoital test, especially in those couples with regular sperm quality. Also in cases with normal postcoital tests, positive sperm-antibody titers can be observed. Therefore, the sperm-antibodies may disturb fertilization in infertile patients even without causing immobilization or agglutination of the spermatozoa in the female genital tract fluids. The determination of the spermatozoa-antibody content in the cervical and uterine secretions must be regarded as an improvement in the diagnostic procedure in human infertility.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / analysis*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cervix Mucus / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / immunology*
  • Latex Fixation Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spermatozoa / immunology*
  • Uterus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies