A comparative study of various methods for the detection of spermatozoal antibodies

Sera were tested using various methods for the detection of spermatozoal antibodies. It appeared that an indirect immunofluorescence technique, a gelatine-agglutination test (Kibrick et al., 1952) and a micro-agglutination method (Franklin & Dukes, 1964) revealed different antigen-antibody systems. Sera showing a strong reaction in the gelatine-agglutination test could immobilize spermatozoa, whereas this was not the case for sera with high titres by the indirect immunofluorescence technique or for sera which were positive by the micro-agglutination test. No sera of women from infertile couples were positive by the gelatine-agglutination test, and sera from this group of women produced exclusively head-to-head agglutination in the micro-agglutination test and then only in a low titre. A few sera from men showing a reaction in the gelatine-agglutination test produced a weak tail-to-tail agglutination in the micro-agglutination test. The localization on or in the spermatozoa of the antigens with which the a...