Interrelationships among semen characteristics, antisperm antibodies, and cervical mucus penetration assays in infertile human couples. 1989

A C Menge, and O Beitner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0278.

Semen characteristics, antisperm antibodies, and cervical mucus penetration studies were analyzed in 754 couples and 95 men undergoing infertility evaluation. The means for the different semen/sperm variables were within ranges published for fertile men. Ages of the men ranged from 22 to 55 years and accounted for a small amount of variation. Sperm counts were lowest in September, December, and January, and highest in April, May, October, and November. Of the sperm characteristics, morphology appeared to be associated with the most other variables. Specimens with more than 50% abnormal sperm forms were overall of significantly poorer quality in terms of sperm counts, motility, forward progression, and ability to penetrate cervical mucus. Antisperm antibodies (agglutinating and immobilizing) were detected in the serum samples of 19.0% of the men, 20.4% of the women, and 32.8% of the couples where one or both partners were positive. Agglutinating antibody titers were significantly correlated between partners. Serum titers of antisperm antibodies were associated with decreased sperm counts, motility, forward progression, and normal forms (immobilizing antibodies). Multiple correlation analysis indicated significant independent effects of sperm concentration, motility, forward progression, and antibodies on sperm-cervical mucus penetration scores of the men. In women, cervical mucus penetration was adversely affected by the presence in the serum of sperm agglutinating antibodies and of immobilizing activity in the cervical mucus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007247 Infertility, Female Diminished or absent ability of a female to achieve conception. Sterility, Female,Sterility, Postpartum,Sub-Fertility, Female,Subfertility, Female,Female Infertility,Female Sterility,Female Sub-Fertility,Female Subfertility,Postpartum Sterility,Sub Fertility, Female
D007248 Infertility, Male The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility. Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002582 Cervix Mucus A slightly alkaline secretion of the endocervical glands. The consistency and amount are dependent on the physiological hormone changes in the menstrual cycle. It contains the glycoprotein mucin, amino acids, sugar, enzymes, and electrolytes, with a water content up to 90%. The mucus is a useful protection against the ascent of bacteria and sperm into the uterus. (From Dictionary of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1988) Fern Test,Palm-Leaf Reaction,Cervical Mucus,Fern Tests,Mucus, Cervical,Mucus, Cervix,Palm Leaf Reaction,Palm-Leaf Reactions,Reaction, Palm-Leaf,Reactions, Palm-Leaf,Test, Fern,Tests, Fern
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000906 Antibodies Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the ANTIGEN (or a very similar shape) that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially PLASMA CELLS).
D012621 Seasons Divisions of the year according to some regularly recurrent phenomena usually astronomical or climatic. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Seasonal Variation,Season,Seasonal Variations,Variation, Seasonal,Variations, Seasonal

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