Methods for Direct and Indirect Antisperm Antibody Testing

Antisperm antibodies (ASA) are one well-known cause of refractory infertility in both males and females. In females, a sperm immobilization test, which detects sperm-immobilizing antibodies indirectly in the patient’s serum, requires complement for the reaction and thus seems to be a more specific immunological reaction. In males, an immunobead test or a mixed antiglobulin reaction test, which detects ASA directly on the sperm surface, is a screening test because of the nonspecific reaction.