The Incidence of Antisperm Antibodies in Infertility Patients with a History of Cryptorchidism

Abstract

Infertility in patients with a history of cryptorchidism is usually the result of oligo-asthenospermia. In this study we analyzed the incidence of antisperm antibodies in infertility patients with a history of cryptorchidism, general infertility patients and donors of known fertility. Of the cryptorchid patients 66% tested positive for antisperm antibodies compared to 2.6% of the control group of infertile patients and 2.8% of the donors of known fertility. Sperm progressive motility was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the cryptorchid patients testing positive for antisperm antibodies compared to those testing negative for antisperm antibodies, and compared to both control groups. Of the patients treated for cryptorchidism by orchiopexy 52% were positive for antisperm antibodies, and the mean patient age at orchiopexy was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the positive antibody group (14.2 +/- 1.2 years old) than the negative antibody group (8.6 +/- 0.8 years old). While decreased sperm concentration, motility and morphology are usually the primary causes of infertility in patients with a history of cryptorchidism, it appears that the presence of antisperm antibodies is also increased in these patients, which may contribute to reduced fertility.

Cryptorchidism Is Not a Risk Factor for Antisperm Antibody Production in Post-Orchidopexy Males with Infertility

“…Several hypotheses contributing to the onset and development of cryptorchidism-associated infertility have been established so far, such as maldifferentiation of gonocytes and poor sperm characteristics in adulthood [2,3,4]. In addition to that, antisperm antibody (ASA)-mediated immunological mechanisms have increased in recent decades [4,5]. …”

“…However, data pertaining to the formation of ASA in cryptorchid males is conflicting. Several studies have revealed a high incidence of ASA in prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism [5,9]. ASA was even thought to emerge as an inherent characteristic in cryptorchids independent of their undescended testis location and orchidopexy treatment [10].…”

Cryptorchidism and Steroid Hormones

“…It is difficult to argue whether it is mainly anatomical sequestration or rather active immunosuppresion playing a dominant role in preserving intact spermatogenic differentiation. It was earlier reported that 20-60% of individuals with a history of maldescended testis have circulating antisperm antibodies and most of them demonstrates oligoasthenozoospermia (Urry 1994). Evaluating the immune status of prepubertal boys with testicular failures, we have previously found detectable levels of AsA predominantly in boys with pathology of both gonads (Kurpisz 1996).…”

Characteristics of Men and Women with Circulating Antisperm Antibodies in a Combined Infertility Clinic in Kuwait

“…Uny et al [29] detected antisperm antibodies in 66% of cryptorchids compared to 2.6% of the control infertile patients and 2.8% of donor of known fertility. The finding of incidence of antisperm antibodies of 18.8% in men and 17.5% in women and 38.3% in wives of men with antisperm antibodies in the present study is in agreement with Menge and Beitner 1191, who detected antisperm antibodies in the serum samples of 19.0% of the men, 20.4% of the women, and 32.8% of the couples where the man had significant antisperm antibody.…”