Antisperm Antibody Testing: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role in the Management of Immunological Male Infertility and Results of a Global Survey of Clinical Practices

Infertility is the inability of a partner to get pregnant after regular sexual intercourse without contraception for 12 months. Based on the cause, male infertility is caused by genetic, hormonal, infectious, sexual, and unexplained infertility. However, many infertile couples are classified into unexplained infertility without an antisperm antibody (ASA) immunological examination. This study aimed to prove that couples classified as unexplained infertility can be caused by ASA wives. This was an observational study with a cross sectional study design. The sample consisted of 2 groups, in which the first group consisted of 36 fertile couples and the second group consisted of 35 unexplained infertility couples. All samples were carried out indirect MAR test to obtain the ASA value of the wife. If the wife's ASA value was >40%, the ASA results were positive. Conversely, if the ASA value was <40%, the ASA results were negative. From these 2 groups, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001) that the wife's ASA value in the unexplained infertility group was significantly higher than that in the fertile group. This study concluded that the positive ASA results from the indirect MAR test were significantly found in the unexplained infertility sample.

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Current laboratory and clinical practices in reporting and interpreting anti-nuclear antibody indirect immunofluorescence (ANA IIF) patterns: results of an international survey

Autoimmunity Highlights ◽

10.1186/s13317-020-00139-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lieve Van Hoovels ◽

Sylvia Broeders ◽

Edward K. L. Chan ◽

Luis Andrade ◽

Wilson de Melo Cruvinel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽

Clinical Relevance ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Clinical Value ◽

International Consensus ◽

Nuclear Antigens ◽

Dsdna Antibody ◽

Homogeneous Pattern ◽

Rods And Rings

Abstract Background The International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Patterns (ICAP) has recently proposed nomenclature in order to harmonize ANA indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) pattern reporting. ICAP distinguishes competent-level from expert-level patterns. A survey was organized to evaluate reporting, familiarity, and considered clinical value of ANA IIF patterns. Methods Two surveys were distributed by European Autoimmunity Standardization Initiative (EASI) working groups, the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) and UK NEQAS to laboratory professionals and clinicians. Results 438 laboratory professionals and 248 clinicians from 67 countries responded. Except for dense fine speckled (DFS), the nuclear competent patterns were reported by > 85% of the laboratories. Except for rods and rings, the cytoplasmic competent patterns were reported by > 72% of laboratories. Cytoplasmic IIF staining was considered ANA positive by 55% of clinicians and 62% of laboratory professionals, with geographical and expertise-related differences. Quantification of fluorescence intensity was considered clinically relevant for nuclear patterns, but less so for cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns. Combining IIF with specific extractable nuclear antigens (ENA)/dsDNA antibody testing was considered most informative. Of the nuclear competent patterns, the centromere and homogeneous pattern obtained the highest scores for clinical relevance and the DFS pattern the lowest. Of the cytoplasmic patterns, the reticular/mitochondria-like pattern obtained the highest scores for clinical relevance and the polar/Golgi-like and rods and rings patterns the lowest. Conclusion This survey confirms that the major nuclear and cytoplasmic ANA IIF patterns are considered clinically important. There is no unanimity on classifying DFS, rods and rings and polar/Golgi-like as a competent pattern and on reporting cytoplasmic patterns as ANA IIF positive.

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Has the Advent of ICSI Made Antisperm Antibody Testing Obsolete?

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.07.1170 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. S447

Author(s):

K. Baek ◽

Q.V. Neri ◽

A. Wang ◽

A. Bongiovanni ◽

Z. Rosenwaks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antisperm Antibody ◽

Antibody Testing

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OXIDATIVE STRESS TESTING AND ANTIOXIDANT TREATMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY – SURVEY OF CURRENT CLINICAL PRACTICES

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.07.920 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 116 (3) ◽

pp. e342

Author(s):

Ashok Agarwal ◽

Renata Finelli ◽

Ralf Henkel ◽

Ramadan Saleh ◽

Rupin Shah

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Stress Testing ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Antioxidant Treatment

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Therapeutic effects of micronutrient supplements on sperm parameters: Fact or Fiction?

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200415173537 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Fotios Dimitriadis ◽

Panagiota Tsounapi ◽

Athanasios Zachariou ◽

Aris Kaltsas ◽

Ioannis Sokolakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Micronutrient Supplementation ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies

Background: Despite the limited evidence about the effect of micronutrient supplementation on the semen quality, many micronutrient supplements have been used to improve male fertility. Approximately, 40%-50% of male infertility cases in general and up to 80% in men with idiopathic infertility cases are caused by oxidative stress and decreased level of seminal total antioxidant capacity. Objective: To investigate the beneficial effects of micronutrient supplementation on sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Methods: A Pub Med, Google Scholar, Embase data, web of Science and Cochrane Library database extensive research of the randomized controlled studies utilizing micronutrient vitamins and supplements was performed. Results: The existent international literature is rather heterogeneous and a definitive is difficult to be drawn. Several micronutrients have beneficial effects on sperm parameters. Rational use of micronutrients might be helpful for infertile patients. Conclusion: Further randomized, controlled clinical trials are required to elucidate the efficacy and safety of micronutrients and propose proper protocols for their use. A well-rounded, balanced diet is more preferable than the widespread use of micronutrient supplements beyond the recommended doses. Future studies should concern the pregnancy rate as a primary outcome in their designs. Further research should be done to determine the appropriate antioxidant compounds, the duration of the treatment, as well as a certain dose of antioxidants in clinical practices. The pre-treatment evaluation of the seminal oxidative status is also an important parameter to proceed with micronutrient supplementation without the risk of reductive stress. Under these conditions, supplements could support the quality of sperm and help to alleviate male infertility.

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