THE DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO SPERMATOZOA AND TO BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS IN CERVICAL MUCUS

Abstract

Extracts of cervical mucus taken during the non-menstrual in-terval contained gamma-globulin and several other serum proteins. Natural agglutinating antibodies to the A and B blood group antigens were present in many samples, and immune-type, hemolytic anti-A and anti-B in six out of twelve selected individuals. Antibodies to Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were also detected. In a search for evidence of local antibody formation in the genital tract without systemic stimulation, antibody present in cervical mucus but absent from the serum was found in eleven women; two had immune-type anti-A and one had immune-type anti-B; five had antibody to H25 flagel-lar antigen of E. coli; and three had antibody cytotoxic to spermatozoa. Earlier reports were confirmed that spermatozoa acquired the A or B antigen from the seminal plasma of individuals secreting the antigen. The antigens from spermatozoa of non-secretors were weak or absent. It was demonstrated that spermatozoa from a group A non-secretor and from a group O individual acquired the A antigen when incubated in seminal plasma from a group A secretor. Spermatozoa coated naturally with the A antigen were unharmed when tested with immune-type anti-A sera capable of lysing group A red cells, though the antibody reacted with the spermatozoa. A complement dependent antibody cytotoxic to spermatozoa of any ABO blood group was found in the cervical mucus of three women. In the one sample tested it separated with the 7S gamma-globulin fraction. The antibody was specific for the spermatozoal head as detected by mixed cell anti-globulin and by immunofluorescence tests; and could be adsorbed out by group O spermatozoa. It was distinct from antinuclear factor.