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Antibodies to human seminal plasma inhibin cause sperm agglutination and impairment of cervical mucus penetration and sperm-egg attachment

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Advances in Contraception

Abstract

Inhibin isolated from human seminal plasma which has 94 amino acids has been shown to be structurally similar to a sperm coating antigen of prostatic origin. Specific antibodies generated against this peptide caused agglutination of human sperm. Using FITC-labeled antibody, antigen was localized on the post-acrosomal head region of sperm. Antiserum to inhibin could also impair the penetration of human spermatozoa into cervical mucus. After 10 and 30 minutes, the depth and density of penetration as well as the motility of the sperm were inhibited. The treatment of sperm with antiserum to inhibin caused an inhibition of sperm attachment to the egg as well as inhibition of penetration.

Resumé

Il a été démontré que l'inhibine isolée du liquide séminal humain, qui contient 94 acides aminés, avait une structure analogue à celle d'un antigène d'origine prostatique enveloppant le sperme. Des anticorps spécifiques produits contre ce peptide se sont révélés la cause d'une agglutination du sperme humain. A l'aide d'un anticorps marqué au FITC, l'antigène a été localisé dans la partie post-acrosomale du spermatozoïde. L'antisérum à l'inhibine a aussi eu pour effet de compromettre la pénétration des spermatozoïdes humains dans le mucus cervical. Après 10 et 30 minutes, la pénétration en profondeur et en densité du sperme, ainsi que sa motilité, se sont trouvées inhibées. En soumettant le sperme à l'antisérum de l'inhibine on a déterminé l'inhibition non seulement de sa fusion avec l'ovule mais aussi de sa pénétration.

Resumen

La inhibina aislada del plasma seminal humano, constituído por 94 aminoácidos, ha demostrado ser de estructura similar al antígeno de origen prostático que cubre los espermatozoides. Anticuerpos específicos generados contra este péptido causaron la aglutinación de espermatozoides humanos. Usando anticuerpos FITC marcados, se localizó antígenos en la región post-acrosomal de la cabeza del esperma. El antisuero contra la inhibina también puede afectar la penetración del espermatozoide humano en el moco cervical. A los 10 y a los 30 minutos fueron inhibidas la profundidad y la densidad de la penetración así como la motilidad del espermatozoide. El tratamiento de los espermatozoides con antisuero contra la inhibina causó la inhibición de la fijación del espermatozoide al huevo así como su penetración.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research in Reproduction (ICMR), Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, 400 012, Bombay, India

    A. H. Bandivdekar, K. Gopalkrishnan & A. R. Sheth

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  1. A. H. Bandivdekar
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  2. K. Gopalkrishnan
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  3. A. R. Sheth
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Bandivdekar, A.H., Gopalkrishnan, K. & Sheth, A.R. Antibodies to human seminal plasma inhibin cause sperm agglutination and impairment of cervical mucus penetration and sperm-egg attachment. Adv Contracept 3, 1–12 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849247

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849247

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