Sterility of immunological origin

An immunologic mechanism causing female sterility is very possible although there is not as yet a demonstrable proof making the problem a very controversial one as shown in the published literature. To accept the idea of immunological sterility i.e. based on an antigen-antibody reaction interfering with the normal mechanism of fecundation it should be possible to demonstrate: 1) the presence of antigens in the sperm able to provoke antisperm or antiseminal plasma antibodies; this fact has been confirmed and proven; 2) that such antigens provoke specific antibodies as soon as in touch with the female genitalia during coitus in normal conditions; which fact is probable but not sure; and 3) that the same antibodies are responsible for the insuccess of ovum fertilization; which fact is doubtful. The clinician is faced with the problem of deciding whether an immunologic investigation should be part of the routine examination for causes of sterility. There are some techniques of immunologic investigation which are fairly simple and feasible in a moderately well equipped laboratory and which can be conducted on infertile couples whenever conventional examinations have not shown any apparent cause for sterility. Such tests are: 1) the Kibrik macrocoagulation method; 2) the Franklin microcoagulation method; and 3) the Isojima spermatic immobilization method. All methods are described in the article.