Expression of Human Leukocyte Antigens in Patients with Autogenic and Allogenic Circulating Antisperm Antibodies

Abstract

Circulating antisperm antibodies have been shown to have an adverse effect on a couple's ability to achieve fertilization. This study investigated the HLA class II pattern in couples with infertility associated with antisperm antibodies. Forty-nine couples with significant circulating antisperm antibodies confirmed with immunofluorescence technique and 15 control couples had HLA class II-DR, DQ typing. The Terasaki lymphotoxicity test was used. In women with antisperm antibodies, HLA class II haplotypes DR₄, DR₆, and DQ_W were more common than in the control group. For the men, DR₆ and DQ₇ were more common in those with antisperm antibodies, than in controls. With sharing of the haplotypes by the couples, DR₄, DR₆, and DQ, were more common in couples with antisperm antibodies, but deficient in DQ_wr HLA class II-DR₄, DR₆, and DR, sharing in couples and deficiency of DQ_W3 may be associated with circulating antisperm antibody production.

Key Words:

• allogenic
• antigens
• autogenic
• infertility
• leukocyte