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Antisperm antibodies in the blood.
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Normally, there are no antisperm antibodies in the blood serum.
In men, antisperm antibodies are formed as a result of an autoimmune reaction to the spermatogenic epithelium. Etiological factors that contribute to the development of such a reaction include testicular trauma, bacterial and viral infections, surgical operations on the testicle (for example, after vasectomy, antisperm antibodies are detected in all men), in some cases the cause cannot be determined. To determine antisperm antibodies, the ELISA method is currently used, which is characterized by greater sensitivity and specificity, and also allows for the determination of antibodies of different classes (IgA, IgM and IgG). The study of antisperm antibodies of different classes allows for a quantitative assessment of the severity and severity of the autoimmune process, in addition, in men, the concentration of antibodies in the blood serum correlates with the prognosis for the restoration of fertilization ability.
Women normally do not produce antibodies against sperm antigens, but various etiologic factors (e.g., infections, autoimmune diseases) can lead to loss of immunological tolerance. Currently, the point of view is becoming increasingly widespread, according to which the recognition of sperm antigens by the woman's immune system is important for normal fertilization and fetal development in the early stages of pregnancy. Normally, in the absence of antibodies in the blood, under the influence of sperm antigens, the immunocompetent cells of the pregnant woman produce cytokines that promote the formation of trophoblast, growth and formation of the placenta, and implantation. If antisperm antibodies are present in the woman's blood, these processes are disrupted, which leads to termination of pregnancy, gestosis, fetal growth retardation, and fetoplacental insufficiency. In women, it is usually impossible to identify a clear correlation between the concentration of antibodies in the blood serum and the prognosis for fertility.
Antisperm antibodies to sperm surface antigens are found not only in the blood serum but also in the cervical mucus, where they can damage or agglutinate sperm, which prevents the fusion of the sperm with the egg and conception.
Testing for antisperm antibodies is recommended for all couples with unexplained infertility.
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