MAR - mixed antiglobulin reactio

Hi Ladies,

My DH & I are about to start IVF in April, however today we found out that my husband's sperm tested positive for MAR & it was 41% we are awaiting to hear from our doctor and are meeting with the nurse soon. Apparently, this means we have to definitely do ICIS....

So unfortunately, we have endo issues together with sperm issues....

Can anyone share with me some positive stories about this MAR issue? Should I be worried about it being 41%?

Thanks,

Louloubell

Thanks JaneW I feel a bit in shock actually cause I always thought it was just my problem ie: endo so I don't really know how to take the news because I can't find much surfing the internet. So will have to put my worried thoughts to the side and find out everything tomorrow (fingers crossed) DH may have to go on steriods before ICIS not sure just what I read on the internet... I'm sure it will be ok just never really heard about it before

Thanks for the message anyway, will let you know how it goes

hi trouble06

yes you are right dr google is so messed up makes you worried even more. I physically removed myself from the computer today and took a nice long walk!

ICSI seems to be the way to go for us but we'll find out for sure tomorrow I think

Sending you lots of baby dust for your FET in March

Hi ScaredyCat,

I just wrote you a reply yesterday and then the computer crashed LOL!!

I think it is a routine test before you have IVF. He's had about 3 previous tests throughout the 3yrs and this was never picked up, so this was done in a special lab next to our fertility clinic...I also noticed there were a number of boxes for the doctor to tick on the form and he just ticked that one together with motility so I'm not 100% sure sorry...

Sorry to hear about your recurrent miscarriages :-(

I was thinking.....if a man's sperm is not effective - maybe it would make a genetically weak embryo. Which in turn may cause a miscarriage. However, I'm no way near a dr but logically I suppose I was trying to work it out in my head. I think to have the test it cost's around $70 if it's not pubically funded...

Have you had ICIS?

Alll the best ScaredyCat and I hope you get some answers soon

Hi ScaredyCat

No probs!

I remember my mum telling me once a story of a client she used to know....her client kept on having miscarriages so she was referred to this doctor in Auckland. She has a french name and I just can't remember her name nor can my mum (I rang her to check)... anyway, so this Dr worked out the reason of her miscarriages were because 'something' in her female area was not strong enough to carry the pregnancy (something like that) so next time she got pregnant they did a small operation and she carried to term!! She then went on to have 2 other babies using this procedure. NOW, this may be a long shot but you just never know. This lady apparently is also a professor and is up on new research etc...

I REALLY wish I had her name... I will keep pushing my Mum and see if her client is still in contact...

I'll keep you posted.

I love my 'winston' he is just adorable but VERY naughty!! LOL He almost caught a duck today!

I'm good thanks, just eager to get things moving! :-)

Hey louloubell,

Thanks so much for that, I did a bit of googling on her and it seems she works for Repromed in Auckland as well as a private practice, I think I will give them a ring and see if I can get an appointment to see her or talk to her at least, anything is worth a asking about, so thanks!

Our Lexi is very naughty too, and unfort gets away with far too much as she is so cute and you can't help but laugh at her!! We have a black lab x too and she is a goody goody two shoes and of course that makes Lexi look even worse, but we love her and she has such a fantastic gentle but naughty personality! Both our dogs are bird hunting dogs so love to go out after birds, which is a little unfortunate as we also breed pheasants etc so can get a little mad around here at times!

I'm glad all is good with you and can understand the eagerness to get started! April is not far away now though!

Hi Louloubell,

Sperm that are affected by antisperm antibodies don't make weak embryos.

Think of it as Michael Phelps (insert olympic swimmer of your choice) trying to swim with lead weights all over him. It doesn't make him any weaker as a swimmer in his own right, but it does stop him from getting anywhere. Eventually if the weights aren't taken off, he runs out of energy and dies.

The embryologist picks the strongest sperm and rescues them from the antibodies (think Piha Rescue!). ICSI saves the sperm from wearing themselves out and having to then swim for the egg in the petri dish.

My DH has so many antibodies that they repeated his MAR 5 times and recorded them as 'All Dead'. Not sure if they'll have to surgically remove them for IVF/ICSI.

Hope this helps.

Good luck. We start in July. Planning session on Monday.

PS Cindy Farquart is lovely! I hope that we get to see her again at Fertility+