Sperm antibody activity in human fallopian tube fluid.

Fallopian tube fluid and sera from 33 fertile and 48 infertile patients were investigated for spermatozoal antibodies by gelatin agglutination, immobilization, and indirect immunofluorescence tests. Oviductal fluids were obtained as washings after tubal catheterization. The incidences of antisperm activity in oviductal washings ranged from 9% to 58.3% depending on the tests used. These incidences were higher in infertile patients. Only immunoglobulin (Ig) A antisperm antibody was significantly more common in infertile patients than in fertile patients (P less than 0.01). Gelatin agglutination and antisperm IgG activity in the oviductal washings could be correlated to that in the sera. No relationship was seen between antisperm activity in the oviductal washings and that in the sera for sperm immobilization antibodies and IgA antisperm antibodies.