Antibodies that cause infertility

Larry Chamley

Antibodies are protein markers that attach to cells and cause the immune system to destroy the cell.  This works well when the body is fighting an infectious disease, but antibodies may also attach to normal cells.  Some antibodies attach to sperm, making it difficult for the sperm to make its way into the uterus, and to bind with the egg during fertilisation.  This is thought to cause infertility.
Dr Larry Chamley led the team that recently discovered a sperm protein (SPRASA); its exact function is unknown but it is believed to play an important role in helping sperm stick to eggs.  Dr Chamley also found that couples with antibodies against SPRASA are infertile.  The research team is now developing diagnostic tests to determine how many infertile couples have SPRASA antibodies or mutations in the gene for SPRASA that might cause their infertility. 

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