Different tests have been developed to identify<unk>  in various biological substrates. However, only Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction (MAR) test and Immunobead Test (IBT) are currently being recommended by the WHO for the assessment of human sperm<unk> . MAR test in its original version is based on the classical Coombs test – sperm is mixed with human red blood cells coated with human IgG. A rabbit or goat monospecific anti-human IgG antibody is added. Agglutination (slow “shaky” movements) can be observed if sperm are coated with<unk> . Instead of human red blood cells, commercial version of MAR test uses latex particles coated with human IgG<unk> . Since the test is performed with fresh semen and the incubation requires only 10 minutes, it renders MAR test a quick and simple screening tool for<unk>  in human ejaculate. However, samples with very low sperm count (i.e. severe oligoastheno-, or even azoospermia) cannot be evaluated using this method. Also presence of debris or high viscosity of semen can preclude its use. IBT is based on polyacrylamide spheres coated with rabbit anti-human immunoglobulins antibody. These particles are used either to identify<unk>  bound to sperm (direct IBT), or<unk>  present in various biological fluids – seminal plasma, cervical mucus, uterine, oviduct or follicular fluid (indirect IBT); the latter one requires addition of donor<unk> -free sperm.<unk>  might be present also in the cervical mucus of the female. These<unk>  might be proved by the postcoital test (PCT). Although the test has been declared obsolete by some authors, it has still been widely used by many gynecologists. The test is performed 8–12 hours after an unprotected sexual intercourse at the estimated time of ovulation, when the cervical mucus is least viscous and thus most permeable for the sperm. The result is considered poor in case of less than 10 sperm per high power field are apparent. Generally, the main drawback of all tests used for the diagnosis of<unk>  is a heterogeneity of data presented in available studies, caused by lack of method standardisation, various semen preparations, and inconsistent cut-off values. These facts compromise precise comparison between various methods.
Antisperm antibodies
Anti–Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody
Anti-nuclear antibody
Rheumatoid factor
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
Anti–citrullinated protein antibody
Antiganglioside antibodies
Heterophile antibody