Mh. Vazquezlevin et al., CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND CONGENITAL AGENESIS OF THE VAS-DEFERENS, ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES AND CF-GENOTYPE, Journal of reproductive immunology, 27(3), 1994, pp. 199-212
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.