Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: How is immune infertility treated？？？ Blood ASABT-Ig and seminal fluid ASAB (MAR) positive. First follow-up question: I am generally normal in other aspects. For this condition, how should I be treated？ Thank you for the doctor's guidance.Doctor's answer:
Hello: Originally, human semen consists of two major components: sperm and seminal plasma. These two components contain many proteins, which can all serve as antigens, causing the body to produce antibodies. However, due to a structure called the "blood-testis barrier" in the testes, sperm are protected within the male reproductive tract and isolated from the immune system, so no immune response is triggered. On the other hand, seminal plasma also contains an immunosuppressive factor that can inhibit the immune system. Therefore, when sperm enter the female reproductive tract, no immune response occurs. If the blood-testis barrier is damaged or the immunosuppressive factor is reduced, an immune response will occur, leading to the production of antisperm antibodies. This antibody causes sperm to clump together or become immobilized by the antibody, reducing their motility and preventing them from advancing into the female reproductive organs to meet the egg. Even if some sperm manage to enter the fallopian tube and encounter the egg, they still cannot penetrate the zona pellucida surrounding the egg, preventing them from binding and, consequently, from fertilization.The treatment for immunological infertility involves eliminating these antibodies, and there are various methods, which can be broadly categorized into the following four types:
Eliminating the cause: Inflammation and damage to the testes are often the reasons for antibody production. Timely anti-inflammatory treatment and surgical repair of damage can eliminate antibodies.
Immune suppression: Using hormones such as prednisone and betamethasone can gradually reduce antibodies and restore fertility. However, the medication period is long, generally requiring continuous use for 3～