Sperm antibodies: Their role in infertility

It is apparent that there is substantial evidence implicating immunity to sperm as a cause of reproductive failure. No longer is it sufficient to determine whether sperm-reactive antibodies are present in infertile couples. The isotype of these antibodies, as well as their specificity to the sperm surface and their presence within the reproductive tract, must be determined for each individual. In the near future, it should be possible to identify the antigens to which sperm-reactive antibodies are directed. Unfortunately, despite this increased diagnostic sophistication, treatments remain investigational, and improved results await a better understanding of such immunities.