Occurrence of the interference of sperm-associated antibodies on sperm fertilizing ability as evaluated by the sperm-zona pellucida binding test and by the TEST-yolk buffer enhanced sperm penetration assay.
PROBLEM: This study was performed to evaluate the occurrence as well as the level of the interference of sperm-associated antibodies on fertilization process. METHOD: Motile sperm suspensions from 28 infertile patients with high degree of autoimmunization against the sperm head were tested with the zona pellucida (ZP) binding test and with the sperm penetration assay (SPA) enhanced with TEST-yolk buffer. Both tests were also performed using donor sperm exposed and non-exposed to the patients' circulating sperm antibodies. RESULTS: A low ZP-binding was exhibited by sperm from 50% of patients with normal semen profile. All normozoospermic patients with low ZP-binding showed circulating sperm-…
Interference of antisperm antibodies with the induction of the acrosome reaction by zona pellucida (ZP) and its relationship with the inhibition of ZP binding
Abstract Objective: To determine whether antisperm antibodies can interfere with the induction of the acrosome reaction (AR) by the zona pellucida (ZP) and whether this interference also can occur in the absence of an inhibitory effect on ZP binding. Design: Prospective in vitro study. Setting: A tertiary care center, the Andrologic Clinic, University of L'Aquila. Patient(s): Sera from 12 infertile patients with high titers of circulating antibodies directed against the sperm head were studied. Intervention: None Main Outcome Measure(s): The effect of antisperm antibodies on ZP binding was evaluated by matching antibody-exposed and nonexposed donor sperm suspensions labeled with fluorescein…