Antibodies or immuno-globulins are proteins found circulating in the blood or other bodily fluids of individuals, and are very useful for the immune system to identify and counterbalance foreign microorganisms.  

As part of the body’s physiologic mechanism, it normally develops antibodies to help protect our immune system against different microorganism causing diseases.  There are times however that the system fails to create the right thing causing untoward repercussions to the individual. In this case, we are dealing with anti-sperm antibodies which are believed to cause infertility to men and reduce the chance of conception to women. This happens because the immune system of couples detects the sperm as a foreign object and as a defense mechanism; their bodies create antibodies to attack the sperm, preventing union and fertilization of the egg and spermatozoon.

Causes

It is not certainly known why some individuals develop anti-sperm antibodies but it has been identified that there are various possible reasons why this phenomenon occur. Anything that results in disrupting the natural barrier between sperm and the immune system can put a person at risk of developing the disorder. Some common causes of anti-sperm antibodies include:

• Altered or faulty blood testes barrier- The testes contain a natural impediment, known as the blood-testes barrier acting as a protective portion of the sperm but this can be broken at any time by different reproductive relating factors which can lead to male fertility in a number of ways.
•  Undescended testes- This is failure of the testes to move down the inguinal canal     into the scrotum.
•  Injury or trauma to the testicles- This may contribute to the production of sperm cells and failure to produce sexual hormone such as testosterone needed for fertilization.
• Testicular cancer- Chemotherapy in testicular aberration may damage the blood testes barrier and may bring infertility to men.
• Varicocele- An enlargement of the veins of the scrotum.
• Infection or immune-compromised state which means a person is having a low body resistance.
• Absence of vas deferens- Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens causes impaired transport of sperm to become part of semen or ejaculate.

Management

Initial management begins with the detection of the anti-sperm antibodies through analyzation of a man’s sperm. This is being done through masturbation. Sexual intercourse cannot be used during specimen collection because vaginal discharge may mix with it and may alter its result. If semen will be collected at home, it has to be transported to the laboratory within 1 hour avoiding exposure to sunlight.  For the females, visualization of the cervix is being done and cervical mucus or discharge is usually collected also to check presence of antibodies.

The major concern of anti-sperm antibodies is fertility but couples can still resort to reproductive assisted techniques suitable and indicated for their case.

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1. FAQs About IUI
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3. Diseases That Contribute to Infertility
4. What You Need To Know About Male Fertility
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