OBJECTIVE: Use of monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins in human medicine. DESIGN: Experimental and clinical studies. SETTING: Dep. Biology and Biochemistry of Fertilization, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Prague, Laboratory IVF, Iscare IVF, Prague, Dep. of Immunobiology, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies against human sperm intra-acrosomal and cell surface proteins were used for quantitative analysis of these proteins by the immunofluorescence test in samples of human sperm of good and poor qualities. RESULTS: The detection of intra-acrosomal proteins was decreased and, on the other hand, detection of surface proteins was the same or higher in pathological spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: Monoclonal antibodies can be used for diagnostics of sperm pathology (quantitative detection of proteins) and for evaluation of the physiological state of sperm cells (state of acrosome before or after acrosome reaction). Finally, monoclonal antibodies could be useful for selection of a suitable method of fertilization (IUI, standard IVF, ICSI) in the laboratories of assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE: Use of monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins in human medicine. DESIGN: Experimental and clinical studies. SETTING: Dep. Biology and Biochemistry of Fertilization, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Prague, Laboratory IVF, Iscare IVF, Prague, Dep. of Immunobiology, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies against human sperm intra-acrosomal and cell surface proteins were used for quantitative analysis of these proteins by the immunofluorescence test in samples of human sperm of good and poor qualities. RESULTS: The detection of intra-acrosomal proteins was decreased and, on the other hand, detection of surface proteins was the same or higher in pathological spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: Monoclonal antibodies can be used for diagnostics of sperm pathology (quantitative detection of proteins) and for evaluation of the physiological state of sperm cells (state of acrosome before or after acrosome reaction). Finally, monoclonal antibodies could be useful for selection of a suitable method of fertilization (IUI, standard IVF, ICSI) in the laboratories of assisted reproduction.