Abstract: A comprehensive review of the literature on the immunology of reproduction is presented. In addition to the species-specific and sperm-specific antigens blood group transplantation and spermatozoa-coating antigens are considered. A weakness of existing investigations is their exclusive reliance on agglutination methods for demonstrating an immune or autoimmune state against human spermatozoa. More reliable are studies that include not only the detection of antibodies but also the kind of phenomena related to cellular immunology e.g. delayed hypersensitivity. The study of sperm agglutination is complicated by difficulties arising from the natural occurrence of antibody-like activities. Research on the relationship of sperm antibodies to both male and female infertility is reported and the problems encountered in the various spermagglutination methods are analyzed. The treatment of patients with immunological infertility problems is also discussed. The relationship between sperm antibodies and infertility can be approached from 2 directions. The 1st approach questions whether a state of infertility can be induced by the action of an intentionally induced antibody. The 2nd is based on the discovery that at least some unexplained infertility is due to the action of sperm antibodies. It is concluded that the investigations reviewed strongly suggest that immune factors do cause problems with regard to fertility. However these factors are not necessarily exclusive; more traditional causes may be involved as well. Future studies should strive to overcome the lack of precision and quantitation that has characterized much research in this field.
Publication Year: 1972
Publication Date: 1972-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 74
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