Seminal fluid and the expression of MHC class I antigens in the placenta of the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether seminal fluid influences the expression of MHC class I antigens on the surface of basal trophoblast cells in the placenta of the rat.


METHODS
Transfer of DA x DA embryos into a WF (allogeneic) or DA (syngeneic) recipient made pseudopregnant by hormonal treatment followed by mating with a vasectomized male (seminal fluid) or by mechanical stimulation (no seminal fluid). Antigen expression was determined by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using the appropriate gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies.


RESULTS
Seminal fluid did not affect the expression of MHC class I antigens on the surface of the basal trophoblast in either allogeneic or syngeneic matings.


CONCLUSIONS
The suppression of the expression of paternal class I antigens on the surface of the basal trophoblast cells in allogeneic pregnancies most likely occurs at the genome level shortly after fertilization.
Kanbour-Shakir
A
A
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261, USA.
Armstrong
D T
DT
Rouleau
A
A
Kunz
H W
HW
Gill
T J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011920:Rats, Inbred WF; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000276:immunology
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I