Biomaterial Database

Relationship between genital tract infections, sperm antibodies in seminal fluid, and infertility. 1983

S S Witkin, and A Toth

To explore possible relationships between genital tract infections, sperm antibodies, and infertility, seminal fluid from 100 men was analyzed. Sperm antibodies, measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were detected in 14 of 29 men (48%) with culture-positive asymptomatic infections, 8 of 17 men (47%) with a history of prostatitis or urethritis, 11 of 33 men (33%) with either a varicocele or an abnormal semen analysis, and only 1 of 21 men (5%) with no infection and a normal semen analysis. The incidence of sperm antibodies in the men with infections or urethritis or prostatitis was significantly higher than in the control subjects (P less than 0.005). The sperm antibody isotype in men with infections was mainly IgA, although IgG or IgM were also sometimes present. Of the men with asymptomatic infections, urethritis or prostatitis, significantly (P less than 0.025) more men without sperm antibodies (12 of 24, 50%) were fertile than were those with sperm antibodies (3 of 22, 13%). Men with genital tract infections have a high incidence of antibodies, reactive with spermatozoa, which is associated with reduced fertility.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007136	Immunoglobulins	Multi-subunit proteins which function in IMMUNITY. They are produced by B LYMPHOCYTES from the IMMUNOGLOBULIN GENES. They are comprised of two heavy (IMMUNOGLOBULIN HEAVY CHAINS) and two light chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) with additional ancillary polypeptide chains depending on their isoforms. The variety of isoforms include monomeric or polymeric forms, and transmembrane forms (B-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTORS) or secreted forms (ANTIBODIES). They are divided by the amino acid sequence of their heavy chains into five classes (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A; IMMUNOGLOBULIN D; IMMUNOGLOBULIN E; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; IMMUNOGLOBULIN M) and various subclasses.	Globulins, Immune,Immune Globulin,Immune Globulins,Immunoglobulin,Globulin, Immune
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
D007518	Isoantibodies	Antibodies from an individual that react with ISOANTIGENS of another individual of the same species.	Alloantibodies
D008297	Male		Males
D009175	Mycoplasma Infections	Infections with species of the genus MYCOPLASMA.	Eperythrozoonosis,Infections, Mycoplasma,Eperythrozoonoses,Infection, Mycoplasma,Mycoplasma Infection
D002690	Chlamydia Infections	Infections with bacteria of the genus CHLAMYDIA.	Infections, Chlamydia,Chlamydia Infection,Infection, Chlamydia
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
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).
D012661	Semen	The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains SPERMATOZOA and their nutrient plasma.	Seminal Plasma,Plasma, Seminal
D013094	Spermatozoa	Mature male germ cells derived from SPERMATIDS. As spermatids move toward the lumen of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, they undergo extensive structural changes including the loss of cytoplasm, condensation of CHROMATIN into the SPERM HEAD, formation of the ACROSOME cap, the SPERM MIDPIECE and the SPERM TAIL that provides motility.	Sperm,Spermatozoon,X-Bearing Sperm,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperm,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Sperm, X-Bearing,Sperm, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, X-Bearing,Sperms, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,X Bearing Sperm,X Chromosome Bearing Sperm,X-Bearing Sperms,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms,Y Bearing Sperm,Y Chromosome Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperms,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms