A convenient mixed immunobeads screen for antisperm antibodies during routine semen analysis

Objective: To determine if leftover unused IgG, IgA, and IgM immunobeads could be combined as a convenient screen for antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm. For comparisons, the mixed antiglobulin reaction (SpermMar) and immunobead test were performed. Design: Prospective comparative study. Setting: Clinical and academic research environment. Subject(s): Donor human sperm negative for antisperm antibodies. Intervention(s): Sperm specimens (n = 9) were equally divided and sera with antisperm antibodies added to one portion (positive control). Main Outcome Measure(s): Assessment of antisperm antibodies in sperm. Result(s): The mixed immunobeads screen qualitative results were the same for both the SpermMar and immunobead tests. The mixed immunobeads screen (positive when ≤10% motile sperm was bound) had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The percentages of bound sperm for the mixed immunobeads screen correlated with the SpermMar but not the immunobead test. The mixed immunobeads screen intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation were 28.9% and 45.6%, respectively. Conclusion(s): Matching results between the mixed immunobeads screen and the SpermMar or immunobead test suggested that the screen could be used to detect antisperm antibodies in unwashed sperm. There was no advantage to washing the sperm, although the screen was flexible and applicable for both unwashed and washed sperm.