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Effects of Plasma Exchange on Sperm Antibody Levels in Males with Subfertility
Author(s) -
ABEL P. D.,
LINDSAY K. S.,
LORD ROSEANNE H. H.,
MacGREGOR SUE,
FLOYD IVY,
WILLIAMS GORDON,
PUSEY C. D.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1993.tb16274.x
Subject(s) - sperm , antibody , serial dilution , andrology , biology , medicine , immunology , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Three men with subfertility secondary to sperm antibodies with measurable serum sperm antibody levels underwent a course of 3 plasma exchanges over a period of 1 week. The levels of serum anti‐sperm antibodies fell by a mean of 3.3 dilutions. This fall was maintained for approximately 4 weeks, after which there was a return to the original levels. Plasma exchange is time‐consuming and relatively expensive but it offers a possible alternative to steroid treatment (with its potential side effects) in men with sperm antibodies and warrants further investigation.