Testicular Immunoglobulin Deposition as a Possible Cause of Male Infertility

Abstract

The possibility that infertility might result from deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) within the testis was investigated in 30 consecutive male patients. Testicular tissue was examined by direct immunofluorescent techniques to demonstrate IgG, A and M, complement (C3), and fibrinogen. IgG was seen in 13 patients (43 percent) localized to the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. Varicoceles were more common (7 v 2, P < 0.02) in the IgG-positive patients and a history of testicular swelling, probably due to mumps, was more common (5 v 0, P < 0.05) in the IgG-negative group. The percentage of nonmotile sperms was high in both groups (73 v 77). We conclude that IgG deposition is a common finding in the Saudi male, may be one cause of male infertility, and suggest that the testicular damage is caused by an antibody directed against specific antigens within the seminiferous tubular basement membrane.