Studies on the Antigenic Structure of Some Mammalian Spermatozoa

Abstract

1. A method has been described for separation of heads and tails of mammalian spermatozoa. 2. By means of absorption technique applied to homologous spermatozoal sera, head-specific and tail-specific antigens could be demonstrated. Both are heat-labile. 3. A heat-stable antigen was found to be common to both heads and tails. This substance is species-specific. 4. Antibodies against the head- and tail-specific antigens led to two different types of agglutination as shown by the slide method. 5. Using heterologous antisera against spermatozoa three different cross-reacting antigens could be observed, two in the heads, one in the tails. 6. One of the head-antigens is not active in the native cell; it comes to action only after breaking the cell. Antibodies against this substance were not found in antisera against native bull spermatozoa but were formed when vibrated spermatozoa or heads were injected into rabbits. 7. The cross-reactions can be removed from an antiserum leaving the head- as well as the tail-specific reaction intact.

Complement-Fixing Activity of Normal Rabbit Serum With Rabbit Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma

“…Diffusion proceeded for 4 days at 2°C , followed by 24 hr at room temperature. Ring tests (Boyd, 1956) (Henle, Henle & Chambers, 1938; The presence of activity in the sera was judged by the absence of lysis in one or more tubes.…”

Antigenicity and Cross-Reactions of Bovine Spermatozoa

“…The antigenicity of bull spermatozoa was confirmed by Metchnikoff (1899Metchnikoff ( , 1900 who tested for agglutinins and sperm immobilizing antibodies. Henle, Henle & Chambers (1938), working with bull spermatozoa, demonstrated head-specific and tail-specific antigens by means of complement fixation and slide agglutination.…”

Immunological Control of Fertility in the Mouse: A Comparison of Systemic and Intravaginal Immunization

“…However, McLaren (1964) reported a marked depression of fertility after active immunization with mouse spermatozoa and a close association between the sperm-agglutina¬ tion titre of the serum and a reduction of litter size. Edwards (1964) (Snell & Poucher, 1943), the source of the antigen (Edwards, 1960a;Henle, Henle & Chambers, 1938;Menge & Protzman, 1967;Weil, 1960;Weil & Roberts, 1965;Willson & Katsh, 1965) (Edwards, 1960b;Parson & Hyde, 1940) and there were claims that vaginal absorption of homologous spermatozoa would induce an antibody response as well as cause a reduction of fertility McCartney, 1923;Otani, Behrman, Porter & Nakayama, 1963;Pommerenke, 1928). Local antibody production by the vagina might also have a significant role after intravaginal immunization, since Bell & Wolf (1967) (Dixon & Mood, 1946). difference between slopes in either period ( The antigen chosen to induce infertility has been found to be of prime impor¬ tance.…”