Resistance of female guinea pig fertility to efficient iso-immunization with spermatozoa autoantigens.
Virgin female guinea pigs received two courses of immunization with S, P or T spermatozoa autoantigens and Freund's complete adjuvant and were mated from 1 up to 18 weeks after the end of each course. The immunizations were efficient as judged by the titers of circulating antibodies to S, P or T, the existence of antibodies to the corresponding immunizing antigen in cervico-vaginal secretions and by cutaneous reactions of delayed hypersensitivity. In spite of this successful immunization, the fertility rate was 100% after the first course and only slightly decreased after the second one. The only significant events were a delay in the time of fertilization and a high rate of intrauterine death (as already observed following anti-S immunization). The absence of fertility impairment was not due to a lack of a relevant antigen in the injected preparations since immunizing female guinea pigs with either epididymal spermatozoa or crude water-soluble extract also did not decrease the fertility. The mechanisms responsible for such a resistance remain to be elucidated; they may involve spermatozoa coating substances, enhancing antibodies or sperm immunosuppressive factors.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001324:Autoantigens; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents