Role of Antisperm Antibodies in Neutrophil‐Mediated Sperm Elimination by Trogocytosis

BACKGROUND: Neutrophils-also recognized as polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs)-are the first immune cells to encounter sperm within the vaginal lumen, and substantial evidence suggests that neutrophils preferentially eliminate sperm through trogocytosis. Antisperm antibodies (ASA) have been implicated in various mechanisms affecting fertility, including impaired sperm motility, reduced cervical mucus penetration, disrupted capacitation, and sperm agglutination. OBJECTIVES: Our study focuses on how ASA may potentiate sperm elimination through neutrophil-mediated trogocytosis in an ex vivo mouse model. We aim to characterize a mechanistic role for these antibodies as enhancers of neutrophil-mediated spermicidal activity via trogocytosis, and to evaluate the effect of prednisolone on this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the role of ASA in neutrophil-mediated spermicidal activity, we utilized mouse models and ex vivo co-cultures, employing confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and computer-assisted sperm analysis. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrate that ASA significantly enhance neutrophil-mediated sperm elimination by promoting sperm membrane trogocytosis, resulting in a rapid decline in sperm motility and viability within 5 min of contact. Furthermore, prednisolone effectively reduces ASA-induced neutrophil trogocytosis, thereby improving sperm survival. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results identify a mechanistic role for ASA as facilitators of neutrophil-driven spermicidal activity via trogocytosis in a mouse ex vivo model. These findings suggest that the contribution of ASA to infertility risk may be underestimated when neutrophil-mediated sperm elimination is not considered. Importantly, the translational relevance of these findings to human reproductive physiology requires further investigation.