The Antigenic Specificity of Spermatozoa

[摘要] Experiments were undertaken to determine whether histocompatibility antigens were detectable on spermatozoa and whether it might be possible to differentiate spermatozoa bearing X and Y chromosomes by means of the fluorescent antibody technique.C57BL/6 female mice were immunized with skin grafts and lymphoid cells from C57BL/6 males in an attempt to produce antibody specific for Y-determined antigen(s). Despite accelerated second-set rejection of male skin grafts, it was not possible to detect antibody to Y-determined antigen in female C57BL/6 mice immunized with male tissue. It was possible to demonstrate the presence of H-2 antigens on the cell membranes of lymphoid cells but not spermatozoa by means of the fluorescent antibody technique.Using sera from both male and female C57BL/6 mice which had been immunized with sperm or testis, it was possible to demonstrate by both direct and indirect fluorescent staining techniques antibody specific for the acrosome of mouse, rat and guinea pig sperm. It is suggested that acrosomal antigen may be a cell-specific antigen of spermatozoa.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）