Immunological Test for Detecting Autoantibodies Against Testicular Antigens

Abstract

The present invention discloses an immunological test for the detection and specific determination of autoantibodies against testicular antigens which are associated with inflammation-related fertility disorders of male mammals in a biological sample of a male mammal, in particular the detection of testicular ER-60 autoantibodies and/or transferrin autoantibodies. The immunological test is utilized to detect the presence of immunologically-caused and infection-related infertility in male mammals, particularly in humans.

1 . A kit for conducting an immunological test for the detection and the specific determination of autoantibodies which are associated with inflammation-related fertility disorders which are silent or symptomatically progressing inflammations of the testicules, epididymis, seminal ducts or accessory glands of male mammals characterized in that it comprises:
 specific testicular antigen which is adsorbed to a carrier   and a preparation of IgG antibodies which are species-specific for the male mammal to be investigated and can species-specifically bind to the autoantibodies against testicular antigens, and which are labeled in such a way that they are detected by a cascade of reactions of the biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase or -alkaline phosphatase type.   
     
     
         2 . The kit according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the specific testicular antigen is ER-60 and/or transferrin.