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Test Name:
Sperm Antibodies, Indirect Assay, Serum

• SBMF No:
  42259
• Performance Lab Name:
  Mayo Medical Laboratories
• Test Mnemonic:
  SAA INDIR
• ABN:
  Required – Not FDA-Approved
• CPT Code:
  89325
• LOINC Code:
  19146-0
• Ref Lab Test No:
  9502
• Also Known As:
  Antisperm Antibodies
  Immunobead Test
  Sperm Antibody Assay
• Also See:
  42258 Sperm Antibodies, Direct Assay, Semen
• Spec Type:
  Serum
• Spec Container:
  Red top (serum) tube
• Pref Vol:
  2.0 mL
• Min Vol:
  1.0 mL
• Spec Collect:
  Routine venipuncture
• Spec Process:
  Clot 30 minutes
  Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
  Immediately transfer serum to separate plastic tube and freeze
• Spec Store Transport:
  Frozen
• Methodology:
  Immunobead Technique
• Use:
  

  In males:
  - As an alternate specimen type (semen is preferred) when semen cannot be obtained
  - As follow-up test when sperm agglutination is noted in the ejaculate
  - With a history of testicular trauma, biopsy, vasectomy reversal, genital tract infection, or obstructive lesions of the male ductal system

  In females:
  - Preferred test for sperm antibodies
  - With an abnormal postcoital test
  - With unexplained infertility
  - With history of genital tract infection or receptive anal or oral intercourse

• Clinical Significance:
  

  Sperm antibodies are associated with some cases of infertility. For fertilization to occur, the sperm head must first attach to the zona pellucida of the egg. Sperm antibodies interfere with this binding. While there is consensus that these antibodies play a role in infertility, the percentage of sperm that must be bound by antibodies before fertility is adversely affected is less clear. In 1 of the more extensive investigations to date, Bronson, et al (1) reported that of couples exhibiting abnormal postcoital tests, 24% of sera from men and 35% of sera from women exhibited sperm antibodies. When sperm were exposed to serum containing head-directed antibodies, "...a nearly complete inhibition of sperm attachment to zona pellucida..." was observed.

  Semen and serum may contain sperm antibodies.
  - Semen is the preferred specimen type for males.
  - Serum is the preferred specimen type in females.

• Reference Range:
  

  <50% binding

  Interpretation:
  Positives are reported as percentage of sperm with:
  - Positive bindings
  - Class of antibody involved (IgG, IgA, and IgM)
  - Site of binding (head, midpiece, tail, and/or tail tip)
  Normal specimens display <50% total binding.
  Greater than 50% binding is usually required to significantly lower a patient's fertility.
  The significance of percent binding inversely related to patient sperm count.

  Cautions:
  Sperm antibody testing is not recommended for routine infertility testing.
  Preferred testing fluid for males suspected of sperm antibodies is semen. In cases where specimen production may present difficulties, a serum specimen can be tested.

  Clinical Reference:
  1. Bronson R, Cooper G, Rosenfeld D: Sperm antibodies: their role in infertility. Fertil Steril 1984;42:171-183
  2. Marshburn PB, Kutteh WH: The role of antisperm antibodies in infertility. Fertil Steril 1994;61:799-811

• Additional Test Info:
  Analyte Specific Reagent.
  This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Day Run:
  Every Other Wednesday
• Time Run:
  8:30 am
• Time Reported:
  Varies
• Test Type:
  IMMUNOLOGY