Antiserum against rat androgen-dependent secretory epididymal protein DE (raised in rabbit) was added to suspensions of rat spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis which were used for artificial insemination. While control spermatozoa fertilized 41.6% of oocytes, those exposed to antiserum to protein DE fertilized only 6.6% (P < 0.01). An equal amount of normal rabbit serum (NRS) did not cause inhibition (33.1%). To study the entry of antibodies into the epididymis, caudal tubules were cultured for 24 h and the fertility of the contained spermatozoa was assessed by artificial insemination. Culture in Medium 199 alone or with NRS resulted in spermatozoa which fertilized 52% of oocytes while the presence of antiserum to protein DE in the culture medium yielded spermatozoa which fertilized only 16.6% of oocytes (P < 0.01). These results suggest (1) that the epididymal protein DE might be part of a sperm structure involved in the fertilization process, and (2) that, at least under the present culture conditions, immunoglobulins penetrate the epididymal epithelium in sufficient numbers to reduce fertility significantly.
Documento: | Artículo |
Título: | Antibodies against epididymal glycoproteins block fertilizing ability in rat |
Autor: | Cuasnicu, P.S.; Gonzalez Echeverria, F.; Piazza, A.D.; Cameo, M.S.; Blaquier, J.A. |
Filiación: | Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Laboratorio de Esteroides, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
Palabras clave: | antibody; glycoprotein; sperm antibody; animal model; epididymis; fertilization; male genital system; nonhuman; priority journal; rat; Animalia; Oryctolagus cuniculus |
Año: | 1984 |
Volumen: | 72 |
Número: | 2 |
Página de inicio: | 467 |
Página de fin: | 471 |
DOI: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0720467 |
Título revista: | Journal of Reproduction and Fertility |
Título revista abreviado: | J. REPROD. FERTIL. |
ISSN: | 00224251 |
CODEN: | JRPFA |
Registro: | https://bibliotecadigital.exactas.uba.ar/collection/paper/document/paper_00224251_v72_n2_p467_Cuasnicu |