What is anti sperm antibody? Anti sperm antibodies (AsAb) are a complex pathological product that can affect both men and women, and their exact causes are not yet fully understood. Male sperm and seminal plasma are specific antigens for females. When exposed to blood, both males and females can trigger an immune response, producing corresponding antibodies that hinder the binding of sperm and egg, leading to infertility. So what does it mean for male anti sperm antibodies to be negative? Let the encyclopedia answer for you below.
1、 Male anti sperm antibody negative
1. A negative result for anti sperm antibodies is a test result for immunological infertility. (-) represents a negative result, which is normal and indicates the absence of anti sperm antibodies in the body. It is used for screening and diagnosing the causes of infertility. On the contrary, if it is positive (+), it means it is positive, and early treatment is key.
2. Negative anti sperm antibodies indicate the absence of anti sperm antibodies in the body and are used to rule out the pathogenic factors of infertility.
Conclusion: According to the above analysis, a negative result of male anti sperm antibodies is considered normal and does not affect conception.
2、 Factors contributing to the production of male anti sperm antibodies
1. Trauma or surgery of testicles, epididymis, and prostate
According to reports, individuals who experience testicular torsion before puberty or due to the disruption of the blood testis barrier are unlikely to develop immunological infertility in the future, while those who develop this condition in adulthood are often at risk of developing immunological infertility.
2. Vasectomy
After vasectomy, 34% of patients have anti sperm antibodies in their serum, which peak at 6-12 months after surgery, and decrease in about 30% of patients several years later, but some patients can persist. In addition, in such patients, a decrease in the number of inhibitory T lymphocytes is often observed.
3. Vas deferens anastomosis
38% to 60% of successful vasectomy recipients can detect sperm binding antibodies, and the pregnancy rate after vasectomy is related to the presence of sperm binding antibodies. According to statistics, the pregnancy rate of antibody negative individuals is 67%; 67% of individuals tested positive for IgA; 20% of cases are positive for both IgA and IgG, while only 11% are positive for IgG; But some scholars believe that IgA is a more important factor hindering pregnancy.
4. Obstruction of the reproductive tract
Individuals who underwent hernia repair surgery during early childhood leading to vas deferens obstruction have a higher incidence of antibody production; In patients with congenital absence of vas deferens, the positivity rate of anti sperm antibodies in serum samples is 29%, epididymal fluid is 16%, and sperm surface is 35%; In addition, some congenital diseases such as bundle fibrosis can also produce anti sperm antibodies.
5. Reproductive tract infection
Multiple studies have confirmed that the production of anti sperm antibodies is related to non-specific urethritis, chlamydia, gonococcus, and infections. 27% of patients with acute epididymitis may develop autoantibodies, and the positive rate of antibodies in chronic prostatitis is 25%. In addition, certain microorganisms share common antigens (cross antigens) with human sperm, such as human sperm membrane polysaccharide antigens and cell wall polysaccharide antigens of bacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, etc.), as well as yeast type II lipopolysaccharide antigens, which can undergo cross reactivity. Therefore, infection with these bacteria can also lead to the production of anti sperm antibodies.
6. Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is one of the important factors leading to ASAB autoimmunity, and 66% of adult patients with cryptorchidism can detect autoantibodies. Early testicular descent fixation surgery in childhood is the main measure to avoid immune infertility in the future.
7. Testicular biopsy
Testicular biopsy can also cause the production of anti sperm antibodies.
