Anti-Sperm Antibodies

[MagicMud]

I thought I'd put a post in this section, seeing how it is blank (just seems so lonely!)

Anyway, I am curious to know about other people's experience with anti-sperm antibodies. What options were you given? IVF? IUI? Keep trying naturally??
Has anyone tried natural remedies to help with antibodies? (like TCM, acupuncture, naturopath, etc).
If anyone knows or has SA's handy, what is the morphology, motility, and concentration like compared to the percentage of antibodies?

We found out in September that DH has antibodies, and I am desperate to avoid IVF! So we have been looking into alternative therapies hoping that something might help.

We have been given mixed signals from our FC about the severity of antibodies on fertility. On one hand we were advised to consider IVF, but then told that 25ish % antibodies (IgA) aren't too bad. However, DH's rapid progressive sperm is only 5%. (not too sure how that can be "not too bad"?)

So anyone dealing with anti-sperm antibodies, please come chat! :)

[CookiesRYum]

bump :)

Hope you get some answers sweets!

[SimpsonDesert]

Hi Magic Mud,

Sorry I can't help you with the ABs questions, but my DH & I have had success increasing the % of rapid progressives :).

My DH initially had 0% rapid progressives in his SA and <1 million/mL sperm count. For 6 months I made him do the following:
- No alcohol
- Limited coffee (2-3 per week)
- Nourishing Flora Probiotic (one or two capsules daily)- from the health food shop
- Blackmores Bio Ace Excell (one capsule daily)

The next SA he had 20% rapid progressives and the count had gone up by 4.5 million/mL. Still not enough for natural conception for us, but a huge step forward nonetheless.

Clearly your DH does have some sperm that are not 'bound' by the ABs, and are therefore free to swim their way to your egg :yes:. You have already proven that with a chem preg.

Perhaps if you concentrate on increasing the % of rapid progressives, it may help?

I hope you get answers soon on how to overcome the ABs and get your sticky BFP. Good luck!

[MagicMud]

Country - Thanks for the cheer along!

Lindylou - That's a fantastic improvement! I'm sorry it isn't enough for natural conception, but very well done none-the-less. :yelclap:

I have had DH on the following for about 8 or so months

Menevit
Zinc
Co enzyme q10
Vitamin C (1000mg)
Vitamine E
Omega oils

(in addition to no caffeine/no alcohol or at least extremely limited)

We've seen huge fluctuations in DH's SA's (had 6 SAs done since march). But the fluctuations are so bloody random!

His first few SA's came back with very low normal morphology and rapid progressive (5% each). Count has never been too bad, averaging 30-40 million/mL.
Around June, his count shot up to a staggering 168 million/mL and rapid progressive got to 30%. (and we thought we were home and hosed!)
But then it all fell back down to crappy levels again.... For no apparent reason.

The overall percentage of all motile sperm and the overall percentage of all progressive sperm has always been below average (except for once).

I know the antibodies throw a spanner in the works here, but it annoys me because I see no correlation between the fluctuations and lifestyle (or any connection between anything whatsoever!)

Thanks so much for mentioning the probiotics, I have been meaning to research that for the last week or so, but wasn't entirely sure what it could do for sperm. I will definitely get him on that now. Thanks again!

Also, have you ever looked into pH levels? Out naturopath seems to think it can have a big impact. This is one thing that I have never considered until now.

[SimpsonDesert]

Hi Magic Mud,

Sounds like your DH is doing all the right things. Wow those fluctuations are amazing! I was told by our fertility clinic that there was an experiment done where the same man had an SA done everyday for a year. One some days he would have been diagnosed sterile and on others he could have fertilised the entire female population of Australia!

I can imagine it would be frustrating not having a definite trend between lifestyle and the SA results. Another difficulty is that the sperm today reflects what was going on 3 months earlier. I don't know anyone who could remember what they ate, drank or whether they were sick 3m ago. Especially not a bloke!

Our naturopath put DH on probiotics. They say the gut is the gateway to nourishment of all cells in the body, including cells in the reproductive organs. They suspected his gut was not healthy because certain foods 'repeated' on him (ie/ would make him burp and he could taste the flavour all day long). Now he can eat whatever he likes, even garlic, and he's fine.

No, haven't got into the pH levels yet. Do you think that would affect us since we're using ICSI? Neither our naturopath or FS has mentioned it, would love to know more!

Good luck with your cycle this month, hope there's a BFP around the corner :babydust2: