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THE EFFECTS OF SERUM ON SPERMATOZOA
1The Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury.
The Journal of General Physiology
|October 30, 2009
Summary
A novel spermicidal factor in fresh animal sera kills sperm. This heat-sensitive, large-molecule factor
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology and immunology.
Background:
- Spermatozoa possess unique surface antigens that can elicit immune responses.
- The presence of factors in seminal plasma and serum that affect sperm viability is of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of a spermicidal factor in mammalian sera.
Main Methods:
- Sera from various species (human, bovine, rabbit, guinea pig, rat) were tested for spermicidal activity against homologous and heterologous spermatozoa.
- The factor's stability, molecular size, and susceptibility to destruction by various agents (sodium citrate, Seitz filtration, trypsin, snake venom) were assessed.
Main Results:
- A heat-labile, large-molecular-weight spermicidal factor was identified in fresh sera of multiple species.
- This factor exhibited species-specific activity (except for human serum) and could be depleted by spermatozoa.
- The factor was inactivated by sodium citrate, Seitz filtration, trypsin, and snake venom, and was absent in tissue extracts and plasma protein fractions.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian sera contain a spermicidal factor with properties resembling complement.
- This factor may play a role in reproductive processes and immune surveillance of spermatozoa.
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