EFFECT OF SEMINAL PLASMA AND ITS FRACTIONS ON INVITRO BLASTOGENIC RESPONSE TO MITOGEN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (4) , 224-228
Abstract
Five fractions of human seminal plasma were isolated on Sephadex G-100 column. The in-vitro effect of whole human seminal plasma and its fractions on the lymphocyte transformation induced by phytomitogen [phytohemagglutinin] was studied. A significant inhibition of lymphocyte response to mitogen was observed with whole seminal plasma fractions I and III at a concentration of 100-200 .mu.g/ml. Fraction II stimulates the in-vitro human lymphocyte transformation induced by phytomitogen at a concentration of 200 .mu.g/ml. Maximum amount of inhibition by whole seminal plasma and its fractions I and III was achieved by pre-exposure of lymphocytes to these antigens. Pre-exposure of lymphocytes to these antigens, followed by washing, does not result in suppression of lymphocyte response to mitogen. The antigens of the whole seminal plasma or of fractions I, III and II could act by simple competition with mitogen for the receptor sites on the lymphocyte membrane. The human seminal plasma may play an immunoregulatory role against the auto- or isosensitization towards spermatozoal antigens.