Antibodies to spermatozoa. V. Antibody activity in human cervical mucus

Abstract

Efforts were made to seek sperm antibody activity in human cervical mucus (C.M.). A procedure of extraction was developed, as well as methods for measurement of total protein and of immunoglubulin level. The antibody testing was done by the Kibrick (K-B-M) and F-D methods. In clear contrast with negative control serum and negative C.M. samples, positive activity could be found in the C.M. extracts from several infertile women. Some of these manifestations were seen as positive K-B-M agglutination, whereas some were seen either as agglutination or immobilization in the F-D test; hence, three kinds of observation can be indicative of sperm antibody in extracts of cervical mucus.

PIP: Antibodies to spermatozoa in human cervical mucus were studied by the Kibrick method and by a modified Franklin-Dukes method. Agglutination was seen in the Kibrick test for some of the women who had positive results in their serum. Agglutination could be seen in some of these cases in the Franklin-Dukes test, but more often this test only showed an impressive sperm immobilization. Sperm antibodies were absent from normal cervical mucus. Findings for 1 patient with positive results are given. Getting large enough samples, making concentrated extracts, and obtaining controls are a few of the problems involved in studying cervical mucus; however it is concluded that these studies may be an adjunct to the more routine studies in infertile couples.