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Antisperm antibodies (ASA), as a cause of male infertility, have been detected in infertile males as early as 1954. Multiple causes of ASA production have been identified, and they are due to an abnormal exposure of mature germ cells to the immune system. ASA testing (with mixed anti-globulin reaction, and immunobead binding test) was described in the WHO manual 5th edition and is most recently listed among the extended semen tests in the WHO manual 6th edition. The relationship between ASA and infertility is somewhat complex. The presence of sperm agglutination, while insufficient to diagnose immunological infertility, may indicate the presence of ASA. However, ASA can also be present in the absence of any sperm agglutination. The andrological management of ASA depends on the etiology and individual practices of clinicians. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the causes of ASA production, its role in immunological male infertility, clinical indications of ASA testing, and the available therapeutic options. We also provide the details of laboratory procedures for assessment of ASA together with important measures for quality control. Additionally, laboratory and clinical scenarios are presented to guide the reader in the management of ASA and immunological male infertility. Furthermore, we report the results of a recent worldwide survey, conducted to gather information about clinical practices in the management of immunological male infertility.
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PURPOSE: The success of vasectomy is determined by the outcome of a post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). This article describes a step-by-step procedure to perform PVSA accurately, report data from patients who underwent post vasectomy semen analysis between 2015 and 2021 experience, along with results from an international online survey on clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a detailed step-by-step protocol for performing and interpretating PVSA testing, along with recommendations for proficiency testing, competency assessment for performing PVSA, and clinical and laboratory scenarios. Moreover, we conducted an analysis of 1,114 PVSA performed at the Cleveland Clinic's Andrology Laboratory and an online survey to understand clinician responses to the PVSA results in various countries. RESULTS: Results from our clinical experience showed that 92.1% of patients passed PVSA, with 7.9% being further tested. A total of 78 experts from 19 countries participated in the survey, and the majority reported to use time from vasectomy rather than the number of ejaculations as criterion to request PVSA. A high percentage of responders reported permitting unprotected intercourse only if PVSA samples show azoospermia while, in the presence of few non-motile sperm, the majority of responders suggested using alternative contraception, followed by another PVSA. In the presence of motile sperm, the majority of participants asked for further PVSA testing. Repeat vasectomy was mainly recommended if motile sperm were observed after multiple PVSA's. A large percentage reported to recommend a second PVSA due to the possibility of legal actions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlighted varying clinical practices around the globe, with controversy over the significance of non-motile sperm in the PVSA sample. Our data suggest that less stringent AUA guidelines would help improve test compliance. A large longitudinal multi-center study would clarify various doubts related to timing and interpretation of PVSA and would also help us to understand, and perhaps predict, recanalization and the potential for future failure of a vasectomy.
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Varicocele has been extensively described and studied as the most important reversible cause of male infertility. Its impact on semen parameters, pregnancy rates, and assisted reproductive outcomes have been associated with multifactorial aspects, most of them converging to increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). More recently, sperm DNA fragmentation has gained significant attention and potential clinical use, although the body of evidence still needs further evolution. The associations between sperm DNA damage and a variety of disorders, including varicocele itself, share common pathways to ROS increase. This mini-review discusses different aspects related to the etiology of ROS and its relation to varicocele and potential mechanisms of DNA damage.
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Este relato descreve a evolução clínica de paciente de 27 anos de idade, admitida no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG com diagnóstico de corioamnionite, em quem foi necessária a indução do parto. Evoluiu com choque séptico, sendo necessários o suporte avançado de vida em terapia intensiva e a administração de antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro. Recebeu alta no décimo terceiro dia de internação hospitalar. Seu recém-nascido teve inúmeras complicações e evoluiu para o óbito. A corioamnionite manifesta-se com síndrome febril, taquicardia materna e fetal, leucocitose com desvio para a esquerda, dor pélvica e corrimento vaginal. Requer antibioticoterapia e realização do parto. Associa-se ao desenvolvimento de várias complicações, como hemorragia pós-parto, abscesso pélvico, sepse neonatal, leucomalácia periventricular cística e paralisia cerebral. A melhor assistência pré-natal e a adequada formação dos obstetras podem prevenir a ocorrência de corioamnionite, assim como suas complicações.
Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the amniotic fluid, fetal membranes, placenta, and/or decidua, involving 0.5% to 10% of all pregnancies. With the onset of labor or with ruptures of membranes, bacteria from the lower genital tract are able to ascend into the amniotic cavity, causing infection. This article reports the case of a 27-year-old pregnant woman, admitted to the Hospital das Clinicas of UFMG, with the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, having been submitted to labor induction. The patient progressed to septic shock, being hospitalized in the ICU and receiving broad-spectrum antibiotic and support therapy, being discharged at the 13th day of hospitalization. The newborn had numerous complications and died. Chorioamnionitis - manifested by fever, maternal and fetal tachycardia, leukocytosis, uterine tenderness and vaginal discharge - requires antibiotic therapy and delivery. Its linked to complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, pelvic abscess, and neonatal sepsis, cystic periventricular leukomalacia and cerebral palsy. A better prenatal care and proper training of obstetricians can prevent the occurrence of chorioamnionitis, as well as its complications.