Female Reproductive Tract Immunoglobulin Responses to a Purified Sperm Specific Antigen (LDH-C4)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Female rabbits were immunized systemically with purified sperm specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C4). Some of these were treated additionally by depositing sperm (as a source of LDH-C4) directly into various regions of their reproductive tract. During these treatments, reproductive tract fluids were collected and the amount of immunoglobulin present that was specific for LDH-C4 was determined. In immunized females without sperm, the concentration of anti-LDH-C4 in follicular fluid was the same as in serum, whereas in oviducal fluid, the amount ranged from 3–27% of serum levels. Sperm deposition in the tract provoked a local increase in fluid levels of anti-LDH-C4. Thus rises in uterine or oviducal fluid titers occurred following the direct introduction of sperm into the uterine horns or oviducts, respectively. Although IgA was present in reproductive tract fluids, the anti-LDH-C4 was always of the IgG class. These reproductive tract immune responses have direct bearing on the reduction in fertility previously demonstrated for rabbits immunized against LDH-C4.