Immunology of the testicular excurrent ducts.
The sperm autoantigen concentration in the epididymis equals or exceeds that in the testis. This makes the epididymis a probable site of initiation of an antisperm autoimmune response. The mechanisms regulating antisperm antibody formation in the testicular excurrent ducts and some related aspects with clinical interest are reviewed.
Pöllänen
P
P
Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Developmental Biology, University of Turku, Finland.
Cooper
T G
TG
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology; D014659:Vasectomy
D001324:Autoantigens; D013739:Testosterone; D003165:Complement System Proteins