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Interaction of rabbit spermatozoa and serum complement components.

S S Suarez, G Oliphant

    Biology of Reproduction
    |September 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Unheated sera cause rabbit sperm acrosomal loss via complement. This process, involving the membrane attack complex, is inhibited by seminal plasma, suggesting sperm may activate complement in reproductive tracts.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Reproductive Biology
    • Complement System

    Background:

    • Spermatozoa interact with the complement system, a crucial part of innate immunity.
    • The role of complement activation in sperm function and potential infertility requires further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the mechanism by which unheated sera induce acrosomal loss in spermatozoa.
    • To determine if complement activation by spermatozoa occurs in reproductive fluids.

    Main Methods:

    • Incubation of rabbit spermatozoa with heated and unheated human and rabbit sera.
    • Treatment with antiserum to complement component C8 and EGTA to assess complement pathways.
    • Detection of immunoglobulins and C1q binding on spermatozoa using radioimmunoassay.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Assay of seminal plasma's effect on complement-induced hemolysis.

    • Main Results:

    • Unheated sera induced acrosomal loss, dependent on the membrane attack complex.
    • Rabbit spermatozoa activated complement via the classical pathway, requiring immunoglobulins and C1q.
    • Complement fixation was calcium-dependent and inhibited by seminal plasma.

    Conclusions:

    • Spermatozoa can activate the complement system, potentially impacting reproductive function.
    • Seminal plasma plays a protective role by inhibiting complement activation on spermatozoa.
    • Spermatozoa may activate complement in the male or female reproductive tracts in the absence of seminal plasma.