Selection of haploid spermatozoa and its application to HLA-D typing

The expression of HLA-A, -B, and -D determinants on the surface of spermatozoa is haploid. Using cytotoxicity and appropriate HLA antisera and complement, we were able to select haploid spermatozoa. The surviving sperms behaved similarly to homozygous lymphoid cells when cultured in mixed sperm lymphocyte culture (SLC). This method is being applied to define new HLA-D specificities, to improve typing and matching for bone marrow transplantation and kidney transplantation and to study their association with various diseases.