Chronic immune stimulation by sperm alloantigens. Support for the hypothesis that spermatozoa induce immune dysregulation in homosexual males

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Abstract
Putative, sperm-induced allogeneic immunization was correlated with immune dysregulation in a study of 30 asymptomatic, monogamously paired homosexual males. Evidence for allogeneic immunization existed among 19 of 26 homosexual males who were anal sperm recipients. No evidence for any form of alloimmunization was found in 4 exclusive sperm donors. Immune dysregulation in the form of a reduced effector/suppressor T cell ratio (Te/Ts < 1.0) was exclusively documented in 8 anal-sperm-recipient homosexual males, 5 of whom also manifested evidence for allogeneic immunization. In 3 of those, immune dysregulation was further manifested by functional T cell deficiency in the form of a subnormal (< 50 cu mm) local graft vs. host reaction. Similar evidence for alloimmunization was associated with a reduced Te/Ts ratio (0.85) in the female of a heterosexual couple who routinely practiced anal intercourse. Based on these findings, it is suggested that chronic, repeated exposure to sperm during anal intercourse results in a high frequency of allogeneic immunization and may play an important role in the development of acquired immune dysregulation among homosexual males.