Premium
Seminal Plasma Abrogates the Postcoital T Cell Response to Spermatozoal Histocompatibility Antigens
Author(s) -
Thomas Imad K.,
McLean John M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 0271-7352
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1984.tb00135.x
Subject(s) - histocompatibility , antigen , biology , immunology , andrology , major histocompatibility complex , human leukocyte antigen , medicine
The T‐cell responses to spermatozoal histocompatibility antigens were studied in the uterine regional lymph nodes of female rats by a specific cytoadhesion assay. The antigenic challenge was introduced either by artificial insemination with syngeneic or allogeneic epididymal spermatozoa or coitus. The uterine regional T‐cell response to allogeneic spermatozoa following artificial insemination was measurable after 2 days and continued undiminished until day 5. In contrast, the measurable response to allogeneic coital challenge peaked on day 3 and disappeared by days 4–5. Since the difference between the two stimuli involved the presence of seminal plasma, these results indicate a possible immunoregulatory (suppressive) effect of seminal plasma on the cellular immune reaction of the female to the male alloantigens after mating.