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immunoubead testAntibodies are an important weapon that help the body to fight infections. If the body recognises ‘foreign’ substances, it tries to build up immunity or antibodies against the substance. Yet in the case of anti-sperm antibodies, the body recognises the sperm as foreign and manufactures antibodies to attack the sperm, preventing the normal reproductive process. Antibodies hinder the movement of the sperm as it attempts to reach the egg (ovum) through the cervical mucous. The development of these antibodies can be caused by infections or other factors. In order to check for the presence of anti-sperm antibodies, doctors perform an immunobead test (IBT). Nowadays, this test is only carried out sporadically. reason for the examinationAn IBT can discover different types of anti-sperm antibodies in various biological samples, including blood, cervical mucous and on sperm cells. The test can indicate whether there are antibodies present, and if so where, the threat posed by the antibodies and which part of the sperm is specifically affected.the examinationIn order to identify antibodies, blood is taken from the woman, placed into a culture with a sperm sample, and then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. Some women are treated with prednisone, a medication that can help to reduce the production of antibodies. Intrauterine inseminations with ‘washed sperm’ can also be performed. As an alternative, IVF can be applied, as in this instance the sperm and the ovum are fertilised outside of the body. |
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