Both men and women can produce anti sperm antibodies, but the reasons for each are not the same. The female reproductive tract and uterine mucosa have immune functions. When the reproductive tract is inflamed or damaged, sperm entering the reproductive tract is considered the number one "enemy" and produces anti sperm antibodies, which can easily lead to immunological infertility. When men suffer from urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, blockage of the vas deferens after vasectomy or other blockage surgery, trauma, etc., and the blood testis barrier is disrupted, sperm leaks out or macrophages enter the reproductive tract to engulf and digest sperm cells. The sperm antigens carried by them activate the immune system, causing the sperm to develop an autoimmune response, and men produce their own anti sperm antibodies.
Antisperm antibodies are a complex pathological product that can affect both men and women, and the exact cause is currently not fully understood. Under normal circumstances, the testicles and male reproductive tract have a strong immune barrier, and sperm cannot come into contact with the body's immune system, so immune reactions rarely occur. Anti sperm antibodies are often caused by diseases, such as inflammation of the reproductive tract or other blockages, which can lead to the leakage of sperm. This can cause the antigen of sperm to come into contact with the body's immune system, producing anti sperm antibodies on its own. As a result, sperm agglutination, immobilization, loss of vitality, and difficulty in completing binding with eggs can lead to infertility.
So how to treat positive anti sperm antibodies? Use condoms for sexual intercourse to avoid the formation of sperm antibodies again, and adhere to taking antibiotics. The main treatment method is hormone therapy. Generally, oral prednisone is taken, and after one to three months of treatment, another examination is conducted to see if there are still anti sperm antibodies. For men, immunosuppressive therapy can be used to take corticosteroids such as prednisone to suppress immune responses; Sperm can also be washed with culture medium before artificial insemination. For women, they can stick to using condoms for 3-6 months to avoid contact between the female reproductive tract and sperm. After the titer of anti sperm antibodies in the body decreases or disappears, they can stop using condoms for sexual intercourse, which may lead to pregnancy.
