Seminal plasma abrogates the postcoital T cell response to spermatozoal histocompatibility antigens.
The T-cell responses to spermatozoal histocompatibility antigens were studied in the uterine regional lymph nodes of female rats by a specific cytoadhesion assay. The antigenic challenge was introduced either by artificial insemination with syngeneic or allogeneic epididymal spermatozoa or coitus. The uterine regional T-cell response to allogeneic spermatozoa following artificial insemination was measureable after 2 days and continued undiminished until day 5. In contrast, the measurable response to allogeneic coital challenge peaked on day 3 and disappeared by days 4-5. Since the difference between the two stimuli involved the presence of seminal plasma, these results indicate a possible immunoregulatory (suppressive) effect of seminal plasma on the cellular immune reaction of the female to the male alloantigens after mating.
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology
D007519:Isoantigens