Identification of evolutionary conserved mouse sperm surface antigens by human antisperm antibodies (ASA) from infertile patients.

Problem: The presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in semen may impair sperm function leading to immunological infertility. The aim of the study was to identify the evolutionary conserved antigens on mouse sperm surface that react with human ASA in order to study the mechanism of autoimmune infertility.

Methods Of Study: The binding of human ASA to mouse sperm was investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence.

The role of antisperm antibodies during fertilization and for immunological infertility.

Antisperm antibodies (ASA) occur in men and in women. In the male they may cause an autoimmune disease, 'immune infertility'. In order to understand the functional relevance of ASA it is necessary to characterize the cognate antigens of ASA by different methods.

Characterization of spermatozoa surface antigens by antisperm antibodies and its influence on acrosomal exocytosis.

Problem: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) are the main cause of immunological infertility, they impair sperm functions by binding to the sperm membrane. The aim of this study was to characterize highly enriched sperm membrane proteins by 2-D-electrophoresis and to identify membrane antigens binding ASA and to evaluate the influence of ASA on the acrosome reaction (AR).

Method Of Study: Sperm membrane proteins were separated by 2-D-electrophoresis and antigens were identified by immunoblotting with ASA from seminal plasma samples of infertile men.

Immune infertility: towards a better understanding of sperm (auto)-immunity. The value of proteomic analysis.

Antisperm antibodies (ASA) in the male cause an autoimmune disease 'immune infertility'. It has to be clarified whether each antibody binding to an antigen, which is identified on the sperm surface, also influences sperm function. In the past, the clinical interest in ASA was hampered by the fact that a standardized assay for the detection of ASA was lacking.

Serum levels of inhibin B and follicle-stimulating hormone may predict successful sperm retrieval in men with azoospermia who are undergoing testicular sperm extraction.

To evaluate the predictive power for sperm retrieval in testicular sperm extraction of inhibin B and FSH levels in the peripheral blood in association with the testicular histology. Clinical study. Departments of andrology and urology at a university hospital.