Antisperm antibodies in seminal plasma of spinal cord-injured men

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 243 - 247
• Main Authors: Hirsch, Irvin H., Sedor, John, Callahan, Hugh J., Staas, William E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.1992; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Autoantibodies - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Semen - chemistry; Spermatozoa - immunology; Spinal Cord Injuries - immunology; Human; Nervous system diseases; Antibody; Semen; Etiopathogenesis; Electric; Instrumentation therapy; Exploration; Stimulation; Sterility; Treatment; Immunological investigation; Ejaculatio disorders; Male sterility; Seminal plasma; Male genital diseases
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/0090-4295(92)90298-B

Central to the problem of reproductive rehabilitation of spinal cord-injured men treated by assisted ejaculatory techniques is the consistent observation of deficient semen quality. Most studies have reported asthenospermia despite the presence of normal sperm concentration in most men undergoing these procedures. To date little attention has been given to the incidence and relevance of sperm autoimmunity in this group. In 9 anejaculatory spinal cord-injured men, electroejaculation was performed. Antegrade ejaculates were obtained in 7 men and analyzed. Mean sperm antegrade concentration was 74.4 ± 113 × 10 6/mL with a mean motile sperm concentration of 28.6 ± 54.0 × 10 6/mL. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-determined antisperm antibody response was positive in the seminal plasma of 5 of 7 patients. Because of the disproportionately high incidence of an immunologic factor in men with neurogenic infertility, sperm autoimmunity should be considered among the important causes underlying their seminal dysfunction.