title: Gamma delta T-cell subset distribution in human semen from fertile donors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gamma delta T-cell subset distribution has not been fully investigated in normal human semen.
  
  
  METHODS
  We therefore carried out experiments by using a direct immunofluorescence staining technique followed by two-color cytofluorimetric analysis on mononuclear cell (MC) suspensions from ejaculates of ten healthy, fertile volunteers. Autologous peripheral blood MC were simultaneously analyzed and the results used for statistical comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of normal human semen lymphocytes bearing the gamma delta T-cell receptor for antigen was greatly increased compared with autologous circulating counterparts. Interestingly, the rise was mainly due to an overexpansion of cells expressing V delta 1 gene-encoded determinants on their surface. This contrasts with the normal blood picture, where most gamma delta T cells express V delta 2 conformational epitopes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The numerical and phenotypical differences in semen gamma delta T lymphocytes provide further evidence of a defined migrating lymphocyte subset balance in anatomically and physiologically distinct areas of the body. Their functional role, in terms of both helper and suppressor-cytotoxic activities in the nonsterile proximal portions of the male genital tract, now needs to be explored in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Perugia University Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertotto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spinozzi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bassotti
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fabietti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castellucci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vagliasindi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008297:Male; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta