Abstract

PIP: Agglutination and immobilization tests were performed to detect the presence of sperm antibodies in the sera of 100 vasectomized men. Overall, 52% of subjects had sperm antibodies. 50% showed agglutinating antibodies, while immobilizing antibodies were present in 40%. Of the 52 positive cases, 23 showed agglutinating antibody alone in their sera. 73 had both agglutinating and immobilizing antibodies, and 3.8% had sperm immobilizing activity alone. The age incidence of the presence of sperm antibodies was as follows: under 35 years, 66%; 36-40 years, 50%; 41-45 years, 50%; and 46 years and above, 33.3%. The highest percentage of presence of sperm antibodies was recorded in men who had been vasectomized less than 1 year previously (75%). Significantly high titers of sperm agglutinating activity were found in 20% of the positive cases, while high titers of sperm immobilizing activity were noted in 40% of positive cases. It has been suggested that the development of sperm antibodies after vasectomy may prevent subsequent successful restoration of fertility by reanastomosis.