Human Reproduction, Vol 12, 256-262, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
GE Imade, HW Baker, DM de Kretser and MP Hedger
Semen samples from infertile men were assessed for sperm autoimmunity by
direct immunobead assay for immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG sperm antibodies
and mucus penetration test. Immunosuppressive activity in seminal plasma
was measured by an in-vitro bioassay employing dose- dependent inhibition
of phytohaemagglutinin-induced activation of rat thymocytes, in the
presence or absence of hydroxylamine (0.1 mM), an inhibitor of polyamine
oxidation. All seminal plasma samples, regardless of autoimmune status,
caused inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation, and hydroxylamine reduced
this bioactivity by appproximately 50%. Dialysis (<3500 molecular
weight) also significantly reduced seminal plasma bioactivity, both in the
presence and absence of hydroxylamine. In the presence of hydroxylamine,
there was a negative correlation between IgA, but not IgG, antibody
concentrations and lymphosuppressive activity in seminal plasma.
Antibody-positive samples displaying impaired sperm function, as indicated
by the mucus penetration test, had reduced activity compared with other
samples. In contrast, there was no relationship between sperm autoimmunity
and lymphosuppressive activity assayed in the absence of hydroxylamine. The
data indicate that T-lymphocyte inhibition by human seminal plasma is due
to multiple factors, and reduced amounts of these factors may contribute to
the development and/or persistence of sperm autoimmunity in infertile men;
however, differences in polyamine substrates available for oxidation in
semen do not appear to be a major contributing factor.
ARTICLES
Immunosuppressive activities in the seminal plasma of infertile men: relationship to sperm antibodies and autoimmunity
Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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