CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND CONGENITAL AGENESIS OF THE VAS-DEFERENS, ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES AND CF-GENOTYPE

Antisperm antibodies are formed as a result of vasal and epididymal ob struction. Fourteen males of different ages (pre-, peri- and post-pube rtal) with bilateral congenital vasal agenesis and epididymal obstruct ion secondary to cystic fibrosis (CF), and seven men with congenital b ilateral aplasia of the vas deferens (CBAVD) were evaluated with regar d to both the presence and levels of serum antisperm antibodies, and t he CF-genotype. While IgA and IgG were not detected among pre- and per i-pubertal CF patients, 4 out of 10 (40%) exhibited IgM binding to spe rm tail-tip. Post-pubertal CF patients showed high antisperm antibody (ASA) levels in 3 of the 4 males (75%) evaluated for the three isotype s assayed. ASA were found in 5 of 7 CBAVD patients (71%); IgG (n = 3) and IgM (n = 4) were found to be the predominant isotypes bound to spe rm tail-tip. CF-genotype analysis revealed two pre-pubertal patients w ith the DeltaF508/DeltaF508 CF-genotype and a positive ASA response, t hus suggesting an earlier or more severe blockage. In addition, the tw o CBAVD patients found to have a ?/? CF-genotype on the initial screen ing did not have ASA. The altered antigenicity of sperm associated wit h initiation of spermatogenesis appears to modify the antisperm antibo dy isotypes. Further studies on a larger number of patients may allow for a better understanding of the ASA response, as well as a better un derstanding of a possible phenotype/genotype association between the C F-genotype and the immunologic response.