ABSTRACT
Fertilization is a fundamental process that involves a coordinated sequence of interactions between two highly differentiated cells, the spermatozoon and the oocyte, giving rise to a diploid zygote. This chapter presents basic concepts on antisperm antibodies (ASA) etiology in men and women and their impact on fertility. It then describes several analytical techniques to evaluate ASA presence and incidence for both women and men and presents data on ASA incidence retrieved from published reports. The chapter summarizes recent findings on the assessment of sperm surface ASA in a large group of patients attending an Andrology Laboratory. It then provides findings on ASA incidence and their relationship with routine semen parameters and sperm kinematics. The chapter describes a set of practical guidelines to perform ASA evaluation, and provides information on commercially available kits as well. To tolerate sperm antigens, the immune system exhibits a particular behavior, in both the male and the female reproductive tract.
