Direct Test for the Presence or Absence of Anti-Sperm Antibodies in Ejaculate (MAR Test)

This is a quick and easy-to-perform test that calculates the percentage of sperm with anti-sperm antibodies. The test aims to check for the presence or absence of antibodies directed against sperm, which could lead to immunological infertility, impeding normal reproductive processes. The immune system and the cells involved in it play a crucial role in human reproduction. Sometimes, for various reasons and factors, the blood-testicular barrier in the male reproductive tract, which naturally protects sperm from the immune system, is disrupted. Immune system dysfunction leads to sperm being recognized as foreign cells. When immune system cells enter the testes, they form anti-sperm antibodies. Antibodies on sperm may cause clumping (agglutination), significantly affect sperm motility, or prevent their movement to the egg. On the other hand, antibodies located on the sperm’s head may block the sperm’s ability to recognize the egg and even impede fertilization. Other causes of anti-sperm antibodies include trauma, surgical procedures, infections, varicocele, testicular inflammation, prostatitis, and testicular carcinoma. Indications for testing anti-sperm antibodies are men with unexplained infertility, chlamydia and other genital infections, and men with agglutinates in their semen analysis.