Male Infertility – Immune System Disorders

The production of sperm doesn’t occur until a male reaches puberty. Normal function can be interrupted by surgical sterilization (vasectomy), trauma or infection. In some cases where sperm are first or once again produced, the male’s immune system identifies them as foreign substances and creates antisperm antibodies. The antibodies are designed to destroy the invading cells by attaching themselves to the sperm, preventing their passage or fertilization.

Treatment Options For Immune System Disorders

• Medication – steroids may be prescribed to destroy the antibodies.
• Sperm washing – collected through masturbation, sperm is washed in the laboratory to remove antibodies. The options are to inject them directly into the female during Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or into a laboratory dish containing eggs retrieved from the female during in vitro fertilization (IVF).