When a man begins to be examined for infertility, the first thing he is assigned is a spermogram. And it often happens that in its results it is written that the percentage of progressively motile sperm is 32% or more, that is, the norm. And yet, pregnancy does not occur. It turns out that it's all about antibodies against sperm: they stick to the sperm and immobilize it. The MAR test helps to detect this situation.
MAR test - what is it?
Antibodies against their own sperm are the cause of infertility in 8% of men. These are immunoglobulins of classes G and A, which are determined using the MAR test. A-immunoglobulins are more indicative than G, but they are rarely detected separately. Therefore, IgG diagnosis is considered sufficient for routine screening.
Research types
- Determination of antibodies in semen. This is a direct MAR test;
- Determination of antibodies in blood - indirect MAR test.
Alternatively, the test can be performed with blood and cervical (from the cervix) mucus.
Let's briefly describe how the MAR test is done. The direct test is carried out by mixing fresh, untreated semen with special latex particles coated with human IgG. Next, an antiserum substance is added to this mixture, which acts against human IgG. If under a microscope it is determined that the antiserum has glued and immobilized previously motile spermatozoa, this means that human IgG has adhered to such spermatozoa. If the spermatozoa did not stick together, it means that the human IgG and the antiserum interacted with each other, respectively, the IgG was not sent to the male cells.
An indirect MAR test is the placement of washed standard spermatozoa and diluted blood serum of a husband or wife into one medium, which must contain immune molecules. If the serum contains antibodies against sperm, then they will cover the standard male cells, and they will show a positive reaction in the subsequent MAR test.
MAR test: how to take
Sperm is donated by masturbation into a sterile container, blood is donated on an empty stomach. Before handing over both biological fluids, preparation is needed. It lies in the fact that 2 days before the study, the man excludes:
- Alcohol;
- Sexual contact;
- Thermal effect on the testicles (bath, sauna);
- Taking medications, except for vital ones;
- Lack of sleep.
The decoding of the MAR test is carried out by a reproductive physician: the specialist will not only comment on the results, but also prescribe those examinations that will help to find out the cause of immunological infertility. The norm of the MAR test is an indicator from 0 to 10%.
Spermogram and MAR test
A spermogram is a general analysis of semen. In addition to sperm motility, it describes the color, viscosity, pH and the presence of foreign impurities and cells in the sperm, which makes it possible to suspect an inflammatory, traumatic or other pathological process in the testicles.
What is the MAR test in semen analysis? This is a method for determining immunological infertility - when the semen contains antibodies against their own sperm, preventing them from moving towards the egg.
It is performed by prior arrangement with the man, and a small amount of semen can be taken from the general container where the semen was donated. This is what the MAR test is for men.
MAR test is negative - what does it mean?
This is a good result. It means that a man's sperm are not immobilized by their own antibodies, that is, they are capable of penetrating the egg and fertilizing it. That is, a man does not have immunological infertility.
