Specimen need not be refrigerated or frozen. Collect 2-3 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into white tube provided with Immco Diagnostics’ collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample is stable at ambient temperature during shipment. If sample is stored prior to shipment, it is stable at refrigerated (2-8 degree centigrade) up to five days and frozen (-20 degree centigrade) up to a year.

Antibodies directed against spermatozoa antigens may cause infertility in women or men. The application of the Spermatozoa Antibody ELISA is recommended for the study of immunologically caused disorders of fertility. Infertility is a growing problem with which up to 20% of all couples of reproductive age are confronted temporarily or long term. In 20% of these cases the presence of spermatozoa antibodies in the male or the female patient is subject. The main cause of an immunological fertility disorder is the formation of antibodies directed against spermatozoa antigens. Spermatozoa antibodies exert heterogeneous effects on the ability of spermatozoa to fertilize. Spermatozoa antibodies affect the motility, agglutinating processes, penetration of the spermatozoa into the cervical mucus and interaction with oocytes. The rate of pregnancies in couples with spermatozoa antibodies on the part of the man or the woman are 38% lower compared to control groups. Furthermore an influence on the implantation and on the early embryological development could be confirmed. Men having more than 50% of their spermatozoa coated with spermatozoa antibodies show a significant conspicuously reduced rate of fertility.