Heterogeneity in the presence of CD4-like molecules on human spermatozoa

The object of the present study was to study if there are differences in the presence of CD4-like molecules on human ejaculated spermatozoa in fertile donors and infertile patients (with globozoospermia). Indirect and absorption enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence were applied. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay data showed that monoclonal anti-human CD4-antibody recognizes an epitope common to the human spermatozoa with normal morphology and round-headed spermatozoa. Localization of the antigenic determinants, identified by anti-human CD4-monoclonal antibody, in the acrosomal region, including equatorial segment, postnuclear cap and tail was determined in normozoospermic samples. A positive reaction was found on the sperm head both in the acrosomal and postacrosomal region of some round-headed spermatozoa in the samples with globozoospermia. The tails of the normozoospermic spermatozoa and of some round-headed spermatozoa were weakly immunopositive. The results of the experiments carried out are evidence of heterogeneity in the presence of CD4-like antigen determinants on human spermatozoa. These data increased the information about the CD4-antigen characteristic of the spermatozoa from fertile donors and infertile patients.