Antisperm Antibody Levels After Vasectomy Reversal Are Not Associated With Pregnancy Rates or Method of Conception

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) Vol. 186; pp. 154 - 161
• Main Authors: Nam, Catherine S., Tooke, Benjamin P., Strasser, Oakley, Hameed, Mujtaba A., Chinnusamy, Sadhana, Van Til, Monica, Daignault-Newton, Stephanie, Dupree, James M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2024
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2024.02.028

To examine the relationship between antisperm antibody (ASA), pregnancy rates, and method of conception following vasectomy reversal, given that before and after vasectomy reversal, patients wonder if ASAs will prevent them from achieving pregnancy and American Urological Association vasectomy guidelines call for additional research to answer this question. We performed retrospective chart review and phone interview of patients who underwent vasectomy reversal at our institution from 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2018. We excluded patients who underwent vasectomy reversal for pain, or without postoperative semen analysis with ASA. We categorized patients as having low (<50%) or high (≥50%) ASA levels using the first postoperative semen analysis. Our primary outcome was pregnancy rate, including method of conception. Differences in pregnancy rates were tested using Fisher exact test. Two hundred and four patients were chart reviewed. Median age at time of surgery was 40years and median obstruction interval was 7.3years. Median partner age was 32years. One hundred sixty-four (80%) patients underwent bilateral vasovasostomy. Eighty-five patients (42%) had low (<50%) ASA levels and 119 (58%) had high (≥50%) ASA levels. Sixty-seven patients completed phone interviews. Of 27 men with low ASA levels, 19 (70%) achieved a pregnancy with 16 (59%) spontaneous pregnancy. Of 40 men with high ASA levels, 30 (75%) achieved a pregnancy with 16 (40%) spontaneous pregnancy. The Fisher exact test P-value was .2. ASA levels are not associated with pregnancy rate or method of conception after vasectomy reversal. These findings can improve patient counseling before and after vasectomy reversal.