This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

"When a man has a vasectomy, his body continues to produce sperm. There is nowhere for this sperm to go and while some of it is reabsorbed, the amount produced can present some problems. In many men, this sperm builds up in the tail of the epididymis (a mushy sperm maturation organ connected to the testes). This leads to leaks in the epididymal lining. Sperm can then leak into areas they were never meant to be, and stimulate a different and stronger antibody response than is normal and seen during puberty.

You see, sperm is highly antigenic, meaning it stimulates a strong immune response. It is recognized by the man’s body as foreign. During puberty, some anti-sperm antibodies develop when the body is first exposed to sperm. Prior to this, the man’s immune system has never “seen” sperm. After puberty, the sperm are protected by a “blood-testes barrier”. When this barrier is broken by vasectomy and sperm are “presented” to the immune system, new anti-sperm antibodies are formed and the previous “normal” immune response becomes abnormal in strength, specific antibody types, and perseverance of response.

HKeller wrote:I have RRMS, dx in 2007, with symptoms 3-4 yes previous.

It's weird, but I thought with a compromised immune system, I'd have cold and sniffles pretty much all the time. However I tend to get a cold once a year, and perhaps flu every 3-4 years!