Antisperm antibody testing

Men sometimes produce antibodies against their own sperm.

There are a number of potential causes for the formation of these antibodies, such as injury to the testes or a previous vasectomy. Women sometimes produce antibodies to their partner's sperm.

The antisperm antibodies bind to the sperm and can interfere with the movement of sperm through the female reproductive tract and/or interfere with the sperm's ability to fertilise the egg.

Antisperm antibody testing can be performed on blood serum (male and female), seminal plasma, or directly on sperm.

The formation of antisperm antibodies cannot be stopped, but the results of this testing can provide your doctor with information about which treatments may be appropriate in order to bypass the stages of the sperm's journey where the antibodies can interfere with fertility.

Please note that no semen test can fully predict fertility. Not all of the tests discussed above are appropriate for every couple. The tests performed will depend upon the findings during your evaluation and discussion with your doctor.