SPERM AUTOANTIBODIES AS A CONSEQUENCE OF VASECTOMY .1. WITHIN 1 YEAR POST-OPERATION

Abstract

In a group of 52 vasectomized men, 1 yr post-vasectomy, 73% showed sperm-agglutinating antibodies in the serum with titers of 8-1024 in the tray agglutination test; 42% showed sperm-immobilizing antibodies with titers of 1-128 in a micro-immobilization test. Three mo. post-operatively, about 75% of the men who were to develop antibodies within the yr already possessed them. With sperm agglutinins there was a gradual increase in incidence in the period from 3 mo. to 1 yr, with titers increasing up to the 9 mo. stage. At 1 yr, 68% of the positive titers were 32 or higher. Although no increase in the incidence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies was seen beyond 6 mo. post-operatively, titers increased up to 1 yr. There was a strong correlation between the titers of sperm-agglutinating and sperm-immobilizing antibodies. All sera with an agglutination titer of at least 128 also showed sperm immobilization. Tail-to-tail agglutination was the most predominant type of agglutination observed. No correlation between the type of agglutination and the presence of sperm-immobilizing antibodies could be found. The total number of spermatozoa in a pre-vasectomy ejaculate (as a measure of antigen dose) could not be correlated with the incidence or titer of sperm-agglutinating or sperm-immobilizing antibodies. These results were discussed in the context of possible interference with fertility if vasovasostomy is to be performed.