Abstract

PIP: A literature review of immunological effects of vasectomy is presented. Antibodies can be divided into sperm agglutinating, sperm immobilizing, and spermatotoxic types. Sperm agglutinating antibodies occur in ca 50% of vasectomy patients and are almost never found in unvasectomized men. Sperm immobilzing antibodies occur in ca 25% of vasectomized men and are seldom found in unvasectomized men. Spermatotoxins occur in ca 2% of vasectomized men, ca 1% of unvasectomized men, and ca 11% of men with gonadal disorders. Hemagglutination and immunofluorescence techniques can also be used to determine certain types of sperm antibodies. No studies on cellular immune reactions to sperm have been undertaken. No unequivocal evidence has been reported concerning possible immunological cross-reactions or organ specificity of sperm antibodies. Clinical-serological studies have shown a very slight increase of the serum levels of IgI and IgM after vasectomy.