Antisperm antibodies induce polyspermy by promoting adherence of human sperm to zona-free hamster eggs.
Certain antisperm antibodies (ASAs) in the sera of infertile men or women promote the penetration of zona-free hamster eggs by spermatozoa. We have shown previously that this enhancement of penetration occurs through mechanisms other than an alteration in the acrosomal structure of antibody-labelled spermatozoa. In the present study, small limited populations of antibody-labelled and antibody-free spermatozoa from fertile donors were observed serially by phase contrast, epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy following their adherence to the oolemma of zona-free hamster eggs. The adherence of ASA-labelled spermatozoa to the zona-free hamster egg was markedly increased and occurred earlier when compared with antibody-free spermatozoa from the same ejaculate. The likelihood of entry of an antibody-labelled spermatozoon into the ooplasm, however, once adherent to the oolemma was not different to that of an antibody-free spermatozoa, and the ultrastructural steps of incorporation of antibody-labelled human spermatozoa were also similar to those observed during fertilization of hamster eggs by spermatozoa of several other species. These observations indicate that ASAs promote polyspermic fertilization of zona-free hamster eggs primarily through their enhancement of sperm--oolemmal binding.
Bronson
R A
RA
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Health Sciences Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, 11794-8091.
Fusi
F
F
Cooper
G W
GW
Phillips
D M
DM
D000177:Acrosome / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D001323:Autoantibodies