Open AccessA Comparative Study of Various Methods for the Detection of Spermatozoal Antibodies
Author(s) -
Hansen Karl Brogaard
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347409156891
Subject(s) - agglutination (biology) , immunofluorescence , direct agglutination test , antibody , antigen , titer , indirect immunofluorescence , latex fixation test , medicine , immunology , serology
. Sera were tested using various methods for the detection of spermatozoal antibodies. It appeared that an indirect immunofluorescence technique, a gelatine‐agglutination test (Kibrick et al., 1952) and a micro‐agglutination method (Franklin & Dukes, 1964) revealed different antigen‐antibody systems. Sera showing a strong reaction in the gelatine‐agglutination test could immobilize spermatozoa, whereas this was not the case for sera with high titres by the indirect immunofluorescence technique or for sera which were positive by the micro‐agglutination test. No sera of women from infertile couples were positive by the gelatine‐agglutination test, and sera from this group of women produced exclusively head‐to‐head agglutination in the micro‐agglutination test and then only in a low titre. A few sera from men showing a reaction in the gelatine‐agglutination test produced a weak tail‐to‐tail agglutination in the micro‐agglutination test. The localization on or in the spermatozoa of the antigens with which the antibodies reacted in the various tests is discussed. The immunofluorescence technique with fixed spermatozoa appears to involve antigens in the structures under the cell membrane of the spermatozoon, whereas the other methods probably demonstrate reactions with antigens in the cell membrane.