Purified human thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes were analyzed by detection of Fc receptors for either IgG or IgM in healthy controls and in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). There was a significant and persistent increase in the numbers of T cells bearing receptors for IgG (Fc gamma) in CLL patients in comparison to the controls. After an in vitro culture period, there was a significantly decreased appearance of cells with IgM receptors (Fcmu) in CLL patients in comparison to the control group. These results indicate an imbalance in circulating T-cell subpopulations for CLL patients. In addition, an in vitro defect in CLL T-cell membrane receptor appearance is present.

Boar seminal plasma and seminal vesicle fluid inhibited mitogen-induced blastic transformation of porcine lymphocytes. Chromatographic separation of seminal vesicle fluid on Sephadex G-100 yielded four fractions. Only the SV-1 fraction displayed significant inhibition of blastic transformation. The results demonstrated that the immunosuppressive factor(s) in seminal plasma is secreted in seminal vesicles. Increased inhibition of blastic transformation of lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen indicates that seminal plasma inhibits mainly B lymphocytes. Both seminal plasma and seminal vesicle fluid inhibited unstimulated lymphocytes.

The biosynthesis of the aspermatogenic substance in the seminal vesicle fluid of bulls is dependent on the androgen level. The aspermatogenic substance is not present in sexually immature bulls; its synthesis can be evoked, however, by means of testosterone propionate. Castration is followed by a loss of libido and a decline in the production of fluids from the accessory genital glands; injections of testosterone propionate restore libido, the secretion of fluids and their aspermatogenic effect.The aspermatogenic substance is thermostable, it is not digested by a number of enzymes including proteolytic enzymes, but it must evidently be bound to a protein complex in order to induce aspermatogenesis.Rabbits developed several antibodies against bull vesicular fluid treated with enzymes, as judged by double diffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and haemagglutination tests. The number and character of the precipitation and haemagglutination antibodies in immunized animals did not differ whether the testes were damaged or undamaged. The fluorescence technique did not detect any binding of antibodies either to epididymal spermatozoa or to histological sections of the testes of rabbits and bulls.

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