Antisperm antibody treatment mode: levels of antisperm antibodies after incubation with TEST-yolk buffer and filtration using the SpermPrep II method.

Objective: To assess whether incubation in TEST-yolk buffer (TYB) or human tubal fluid (HTF) could alter the sperm membrane characteristics and its relationship to antisperm antibodies (ASA) and/or antigen detachment from the sperm membrane and to evaluate the filtration of those specimens and possible recovery of ASA-free spermatozoa.

Design: A prospective clinical study.

Setting: Andrology Institute of Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky.

Patient(s): Twenty patients undergoing infertility treatment.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Recovery of spermatozoa with reduced levels or antisperm antibody-free sperm after treatment with TYB or HTF, followed by filtration using the SpermPrepII method (Sephadex based).

Result(s): Assessment of ASA using the direct immunobead test showed no significant differences between specimens incubated for 2 hours in seminal plasma (fresh) or HTF with regard to levels of IgA and IgG. The percentage binding of anti-IgA and anti-IgG immunobeads was significantly reduced in specimens incubated for 2 hours in TYB compared with specimens incubated in seminal plasma or HTF. Furthermore, selection of spermatozoa using the SpermPrepII filtration method significantly reduced the percentage binding of anti-IgA and anti-IgG immunobeads compared with specimens incubated in HTF.

Conclusion(s): The results suggest that TYB either altered the sperm membrane properties so that there was a decreased affinity at the antibody and/or antigen sites or that the egg yolk proteins were absorbing the antibodies and/or antigens complexes from the sperm membrane surface. Incubation of spermatozoa in TYB followed by filtration with the SpermPrepII method improved the recovery of ASA-free spermatozoa by selectively entrapping spermatozoa with ASA bound to its surface.