Antisperm antibodies

[Gingercat5090]

Hello everyone, I am interested to hear of people’s experiences with Antisperm antibodies (ASA).
I am 30 and DH is 31 and we have been TTC #1 for 10 months.
I have found TTC very stressful and upsetting with BFN month after month. I had a gut feeling very early on that something wasn’t right. My cycles are regular (26-30 days), I am ovulating, transvaginal ultrasound was normal, my bloods are normal apart from testosterone which is ‘borderline’. I have facial hair and acne but no other PCOS symptoms and doctors have confirmed I don’t have PCOS.
However, Sperm analysis results appear to suggest that DH has 100% ASA; as all of the sperms had antibodies attached to them, they were unable to even test/provide a reading for motility, mobility etc.
we have been referred to fertility clinic and I am waiting for an appointment. From my research on ASA, we have next to zero chance of conceiving naturally and our only hope is ICSI. I am heartbroken and devastated but dealing with the news as well as I can. Does anybody have any experience of ICSI with ASA? I am hopeful but at the same time I am absolutely terrified that it won’t work out.
thank you in advance, look forward to chatting to you.

@Gingercat5090 hi there , we were referred for icsi and just had my egg retrieval on Tuesday
I have pcos and my partner has poor morphology and also had sperm antibodies.
We actually conceived naturally 4 months after that test but lost it.
Have you had a repeat test? Because this can fluctuate. Sperm is regenerated every 3 months. My partners last test came back that he didn't have the sperm antibodies anymore. So it really can change batch to batch. Has he been sick or anything?
Just to let you know don't worry about the process. I thought we would have terrible fertilisation rates but with icsi we fertilised 3 out of 4 embryos . The 4 actually fertilised but just one did abnormally

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it. Sorry to hear about your MC.
that’s so interesting to hear that the second test said no antibodies - do you know what the % was the first time? My partner’s test was only a month ago so hopefully we’ll get another one done in 2 months. he’s not been sick, no injuries or anything so we’re baffled as to where the antibodies came from.
that’s great news, wishing you all the best for the rest of the process and really hope it works out for you. Do you mind me asking what the process and time frame was from getting referred to GP clinic to now when you’re in the middle of ICSI?

@MoonlightDreamer sorry forgot to tag you, still getting used to this :)

@Gingercat5090 try not to worry as my case clearly demonstrates that the antibodies can resolve itself and even if it dosent it can be overcome with icsi.
I think waiting lists depend greatly on your local area. Mine are ridiculously long and it's taken just over a year from referral to retrieval. Some areas are quite quick and take only a few months. If you find out where you have been referred try phoning them to ask what the current waiting list for first time consultations are

@Gingercat5090 hi, I am in a similar position to you with my husband’s anti bodies. We are waiting to start our first ICSI round after Christmas. We did 2 SA both with 100% IgG and high IgA antibodies - was just wondering if you were able to make any progress or get another test done?

@180monkeys hello! We are still waiting for an NHS appointment with fertility clinic, the waiting list seems to be extremely long where I live. In the meantime we are going abroad for ICSI next month as can't afford it privately in the UK. We haven't done another sperm analysis but even if the % of antibodies has decreased we would still need ICSI regardless as it was 100% before. Good luck with your ICSI let me know how you get on!

@Gingercat5090 it’s so frustrating with NHS isn’t it! We have ended up quite lucky and had our first NHS appointment this morning but because we have already had all of our tests done with a mixture of private and NHS he was happy to put us on the waitlist for treatment which is only 4 months where we are. However the downside is that we’re only entitled to one NHS round in our region. I think we have made the decision to wait the 4 months rather than go private in February as it will only be a 2 month wait and a large saving cost wise! All NHS and private consultants we have seen seem really positive about ICSI being able to overcome the antibodies though.

good luck to you too! Do you know when you are planning to go abroad for your treatment?

@Gingercat5090 sorry I’ve just realised you said next month! Good luck! I’m sure you’re a mix of excited and nervous!

@180monkeys hopefully the 4 month wait will fly by for you! Did you manage to work out what has caused the antibodies? My partner hasn't had any injuries or illnesses so we are baffled. It's frustrating because there's no medication that can cure or improve the antibodies - ICSI is the only option! We are going the day before my new cycle starts in January so it will be middle of Jan and we'll be there for three weeks if everything goes to plan. I'm excited and hopeful but part of me is anxious that it won't be successful. How are you feeling about it?

@Gingercat5090 i really hope so! I really want everything done asap but at the same time seems silly to spend so much money when it is a relatively short wait and I am 28 so time is on our side. No we’re the same no idea where the antibodies have came from or why! It’s very frustrating but we just want to crack on with treatment rather than looking into it too much tbh.

i think I’m probably being naive to be really excited to start but that’s how I’m feeling right now! I imagine it would feel differently going into a second cycle