Role of guinea-pig sperm autoantigens in sperm binding to the zona pellucida and oocyte penetration.
In vitro, binding of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa to the zona pellucida of mature guinea-pig oocytes was inhibited by guinea-pig sperm anti-T IgG and antibodies. Anti-P IgG antibodies prevented oocyte penetration without interfering with sperm-zona binding. The fusion of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa with zona-free oocytes was prevented by anti-T IgG and it was diminished by anti-P IgG. In the same conditions anti-S antibodies had no effect in these in-vitro fertilization events. Immunization of female guinea-pigs with P antigen resulted in a significant decrease of the number of tubal cleaved eggs. T antigens were less clearly implicated in fertilization in vivo. This study provides evidence that well characterized autoantigenic molecules of guinea-pig spermatozoa are involved in fertilization events.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008297:Male; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G