title: Sperm artificially exposed to antisperm antibodies show altered deoxyribonucleic acid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to assess sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity after exposure to antisperm antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Donor semen were divided and exposed to sera containing IgG, IgA, and IgM antisperm antibodies. Untreated portions served as the control. After incubation (1 hr, 23 degrees C), the sperm were centrifuge-washed, resuspended, and incubated (23 degrees C) for 2, 5, 7, or 9 days. Acridine orange staining and kinematic parameters were measured. The sentinel (17q21 from D17S855) and beta-globin genes were amplified and analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm preexposed to antisperm antibodies had deleted sentinel gene on days 7 and 9. The beta-globin gene was intact. There were no differences in acridine orange staining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sperm artificially exposed to antisperm antibodies resulted in a subtle deletion of genetic material. The DNA alteration process was slow and was undetectable at the gross level. More studies are needed to confirm the findings and determine whether DNA repair mechanisms can reverse the damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine 92350, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000165:Acridine Orange; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005914:Globins; D004247:DNA; D000165:Acridine Orange