title: Suppressor T lymphocytes and cross-reactive sperm antigens in human semen.
abstract: Studies were initiated to further explore possible interrelationships between semen and the immune system. Ejaculates from healthy donors were found to contain an average of 2.6 X 10(6) mononuclear cells and 0.8 X 10(6) lymphocytes. These seminal lymphocytes exhibited suppressor activity when co-cultured with autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes. Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to all human T lymphocytes (OKT3) and to T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes (OKT8) with purified T lymphocytes was shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be reduced by 70-90% following pre-incubation of the antibodies with ejaculated human spermatozoa. Reactivity of mononuclear antibody to T helper/inducer lymphocytes (OKT4) with T lymphocytes was unaffected by spermatozoa. Since T suppressor lymphocytes present in sperm-containing fractions could be responsible for any reactivity of OKT3 and OKT8 antibodies with spermatozoa, lymphocyte-free sperm preparations were prepared. OKT3 and OKT8, but not OKT4, were shown by ELISA to react with purified human spermatozoa. Shared antigenic determinants between lymphoid cells and spermatozoa and/or the occurrence of lymphocytes in semen may, in some situations, induce alteration in immune functions following exposure to semen.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000939:Epitopes