Spermatozoal antibodies in human seminal plasma as a cause of failed artificial donor insemination. 1977

W L Quinlivan, and H Sullivan

Seven couples who were in a program of artificial donor insemination (AID) which had not resulted in a pregnancy were advised to abstain from sexual intercourse for 2 days prior to AID. Six of the wives became pregnant following this advice. Seminal plasmas from the seven husbands showed evidence of spermatozoal antibodies. They agglutinated or immobilized healthy spermatozoa and contained immunoglobulin A and complements C-3 and C-4. Immunoglubulin G levels in these seminal plasmas were slightly elevated. Blood sera from the same husbands also agglutinated normal spermatozoa or decreased their motility. A comparison of 33 women who were not advised concerning sexual intercourse prior to AID and 17 women who were advised revealed that 46% of the former group became pregnant, whereas in the advised group 88% achieved pregnancy. The conclusion is that abnormal semen may contain spermatozoal antibodies which adversely affect normal spermatozoa. In order to avoid the presence of spermatozoal antibodies on the wife's cervix, couples are advised to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to use a condom, for 2 days prior to AID.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007070 Immunoglobulin A Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions. IgA,IgA Antibody,IgA1,IgA2,Antibody, IgA
D007074 Immunoglobulin G The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B. Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007315 Insemination, Artificial Artificial introduction of SEMEN or SPERMATOZOA into the VAGINA to facilitate FERTILIZATION. Artificial Insemination,Eutelegenesis,Artificial Inseminations,Eutelegeneses,Inseminations, Artificial
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D003176 Complement C3 A glycoprotein that is central in both the classical and the alternative pathway of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. C3 can be cleaved into COMPLEMENT C3A and COMPLEMENT C3B, spontaneously at low level or by C3 CONVERTASE at high level. The smaller fragment C3a is an ANAPHYLATOXIN and mediator of local inflammatory process. The larger fragment C3b binds with C3 convertase to form C5 convertase. C3 Complement,C3 Precursor,Complement 3,Complement C3 Precursor,Complement Component 3,Precursor-Complement 3,Pro-C3,Pro-Complement 3,C3 Precursor, Complement,C3, Complement,Complement, C3,Component 3, Complement,Precursor Complement 3,Precursor, C3,Precursor, Complement C3,Pro C3,Pro Complement 3
D003181 Complement C4 A glycoprotein that is important in the activation of CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY. C4 is cleaved by the activated COMPLEMENT C1S into COMPLEMENT C4A and COMPLEMENT C4B. C4 Complement,C4 Complement Component,Complement 4,Complement C4, Precursor,Complement Component 4,Pro-C4,Pro-complement 4,C4, Complement,Complement Component, C4,Complement, C4,Component 4, Complement,Component, C4 Complement,Pro C4,Pro complement 4
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
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

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