Failure of sperm-induced immunosuppression: association with antisperm antibodies in women.
The ability of husbands' sperm to inhibit proliferation of their wives' lymphocytes was measured. Seventeen of 27 sperm samples tested (63%) inhibited lymphocytes from responding to Candida antigens. Eleven of the 27 women (41%) had sera that were positive for antisperm antibodies; sperm from only four of their husbands (36%) were immunosuppressive. In contrast, 13 of the 16 women (81%) without antisperm antibodies had partners with suppressive sperm. Lymphocytes from four women with antisperm antibodies were inhibited by sperm from a fertile donor although not inhibited by their husband's sperm, whereas in three other antibody-positive women neither the husbands' nor donors' sperm were inhibitory. Antisperm antibodies in some women may arise as a consequence of a failure of sperm from their male partners to inhibit lymphocyte activation.
Witkin
S S
SS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021.
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007246:Infertility / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies