Our findings indicate that human sperm expresses Izumo protein, and the immunoinfertile female sera have circulating isoantibodies against this protein. This is the first study to our knowledge, which examined the presence and incidence of Izumo antibodies in female and male immunoinfertility. These findings may find clinical applications in specific diagnosis and treatment of infertility, and contraceptive vaccine development.

Umbilical vein varices are rare fetal anomalies typically found intra-abdominally and identified on ultrasound prior to birth. Intra-abdominal umbilical vein varices account for approximately 4% of umbilical cord abnormalities and are thought to be a developmental abnormality rather than a congenital malformation. The umbilical vein varix anomaly been shown to be associated with a higher incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes and there is evidence of a relationship between this and chromosomal abnormalities. There have been few case reports of extra-abdominal varices. This case reviews a multiparous Hispanic female who delivered a baby with an extra-abdominal umbilical vein varix who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit but had an uncomplicated hospital course. The report reviews strategies for antenatal testing and surveillance of identified varices.

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The sera of 60 homosexual males were examined for the presence of antibodies to sperm using an indirect immunobead test (IBT). Six of 60 (10%) had antibodies of IgG isotype; in addition two of the six had antibodies of IgA isotype. The presence of antibodies was associated with the practice of unprotected receptive anal intercourse in the previous six months. Antibodies were not found in homosexual men who were celibate, or who practised only oral intercourse during the same period. There was no correlation between the presence of anti-sperm antibodies and antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or numbers of T lymphocytes. These preliminary results lend support to the hypothesis that antigen presentation in the lower gut may be a source of sensitisation against sperm. The possibility that anti-sperm antibodies may be a marker of receptive anal intercourse merits further investigation.Antibodies to various components of sperm and seminal plasma are present in the sera of certain individuals, particularly vasectomised men and infertile couples, and there has been much speculation over their pathogenetic role.' Recently, using a