What is antisperm antibody testing and when is it used?

• A. It tests for antisperm antibodies; used when female-factor infertility is suspected or after vasectomy reversal to guide treatment choices.
• B. It tests for antisperm antibodies; used when male-factor infertility is suspected or after vasectomy reversal to guide treatment choices.
• C. It assesses ovarian reserve and fecundability.
• D. It measures cervical mucus pH.

Answer: (B)

Antisperm antibody testing looks for antibodies that target sperm. When these antibodies are present, they can impair sperm function by causing clumping, reducing motility, or interfering with the sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg. The test is most relevant when male-factor infertility is suspected or after a vasectomy reversal, because exposure of the immune system to sperm after vasectomy can trigger antibody production. Knowing whether antibodies are present helps guide treatment choices, often pointing toward assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection or specialized sperm preparation approaches. This test isn’t used to assess ovarian reserve or cervical mucus conditions, which pertain to female fertility factors.