Antibodies against Sperm Cells and ImmunologicalIntolerance of Some Metals in Infertile Couples

Czech version

Authors: L. Přibylová ¹; Š. Podzimek ²; Z. Ulčová-Gallová ¹; J. Procházková ²; J. Bártová ²; Z. Rokyta ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika LF UK a FN, Plzeň, přednosta doc. MUDr. Z. Rokyta, CSc. 2Výzkumný stomatologický ústav 1. LF UK, Praha, ředitelka doc. MUDr. J. Dufková, DrSc. ¹
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2003; (2): 106-110
Category:

Overview

Objective:
Verification of the hypothesis of a relationship between the presence of antibodies againstsperm cells and immunological reactivity to some metals in infertile couples by the MELISA test.Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Charles University and FacultyHospital, Plzeň.Method: From 23 female patients and 21 men (a total of 44 subjects treated for infertility) withconfirmed serum antibodies against sperm cells the authors isolated lymphocytes from the peripheralblood stream, divided them into individual cultures and investigated them by the MELISAtest using different metal compounds.Results: The outcome of the MELISA test are values of the stimulation index (SI) by means of whichthe authors investigated the reactivity of the organism to the given metal. Special attention wasdevoted tocompounds of organic andinorganic mercury.The SI valueswere subsequentlycomparedwith different data obtained from a detailed anamnestic questionnaire which was focused speciallyon contact with metals and on allergic reactions. In the investigated group of patients the authorsdetected a positive immune reactivity to inorganic mercury, Ag, Al, Fe. In some subjects they founda very high positive immune reactivity to inorganic mercury, Ni, Al, Cd and Ti. The control groupswere formed by healthy fertile subjects without antibodies against sperm cells and with physiologicalSI values.Conclusion: The authors did not prove a direct relationship between the intensity of the laboratoryreactivity to metals and the presence of antibodies against sperm cells which cause deteriorationof fertility. An exogenous load of metals could in case of genetic predisposition be only one of thefactors which participate in the formation of antibodies against sperm cells. The investigationproved that its is not essential, contrary to the view of many stomatologists, to eliminate metalcompounds completely from dental practice.

Key words:
metals, immunity, infertility, antibodies against sperm cells, MELISA test

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