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Post-vasectomy sperm autoimmunogens in the Lewis rat.
H H Handley1, C J Flickinger, J C Herr
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903.
Biology of Reproduction
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Vasectomy in rats induces autoantibodies against sperm antigens. Researchers identified several key sperm autoantigens, many of which are disulfide-bonded complexes, using various extraction and electrophoresis techniques.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Autoimmunity
- Sperm biology
Background:
- Vasectomy can induce an immune response against sperm.
- Identifying specific sperm autoantigens is crucial for understanding this response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify autoantigens targeted by antibodies after vasectomy in rats.
- To characterize the nature of these sperm autoantigens.
Main Methods:
- Vasectomy performed on Lewis rats to induce autoantibodies.
- Spermatozoa extracted using SDS and Laemmli buffers under reducing and non-reducing conditions.
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting used to detect autoantigens.
Main Results:
- Post-vasectomy antisera recognized several nonreduced SDS-soluble sperm autoantigens (e.g., 200, 86, 43, 26 kDa).
- Reduction increased recognition of 86, 72-63, and 43 kDa autoantigens.
- Laemmli extraction identified a broader repertoire, including 86, 63, 43, and 20 kDa autoantigens.
- Testicular extracts revealed autoantigens at 76, 60, and 42 kDa.
Conclusions:
- Several major sperm autoimmunogens recognized by post-vasectomy antisera were defined.
- Many identified peptide autoimmunogens appear to be disulfide-bonded complexes.
- The study provides insights into the molecular targets of post-vasectomy autoimmunity.