title: Heterogeneity in the presence of CD4-like molecules on human spermatozoa.
abstract: The object of the present study was to study if there are differences in the presence of CD4-like molecules on human ejaculated spermatozoa in fertile donors and infertile patients (with globozoospermia). Indirect and absorption enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence were applied. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay data showed that monoclonal anti-human CD4-antibody recognizes an epitope common to the human spermatozoa with normal morphology and round-headed spermatozoa. Localization of the antigenic determinants, identified by anti-human CD4-monoclonal antibody, in the acrosomal region, including equatorial segment, postnuclear cap and tail was determined in normozoospermic samples. A positive reaction was found on the sperm head both in the acrosomal and postacrosomal region of some round-headed spermatozoa in the samples with globozoospermia. The tails of the normozoospermic spermatozoa and of some round-headed spermatozoa were weakly immunopositive. The results of the experiments carried out are evidence of heterogeneity in the presence of CD4-like antigen determinants on human spermatozoa. These data increased the information about the CD4-antigen characteristic of the spermatozoa from fertile donors and infertile patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dimitrova-Dikanarova
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Marinova
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Fichorova
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005298:Fertility; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens