This report further characterizes the cytotoxic properties of seminal plasma and provides evidence for a role of spermine oxidation in the generation of seminal plasma cytotoxicity. Addition of spermine to lymphocyte cultures was found to result in a cytotoxic effect similar to that observed upon addition of seminal plasma. Furthermore, although seminal plasma is not cytotoxic in serum-free medium, addition of monoamine oxidase was sufficient to result in the generation of seminal plasma-associated cytotoxicity. Analysis of 73 individual seminal plasma samples indicated that all were cytotoxic, suggesting that this is an intrinsic property of seminal plasma. These results support a mechanism for seminal plasma cytotoxicity in which oxidation of spermine in seminal plasma by the amine oxidase of fetal calf serum results in generation of a cytotoxic product. It is hypothesized that this product plays a significant role in the phenomenon of seminal plasma immunosuppression. The general application of this principle to other fluids and tissues is discussed.

This report describes the cytotoxic properties of human seminal plasma and demonstrates that the inhibition of response to mitogens shown by murine lymphocytes in the presence of whole human seminal plasma can be attributed largely to an effect of seminal components on lymphocyte viability. It is hypothesised that the cytotoxic effect of seminal plasma arises as a result of the oxidation of spermine in seminal plasma by an amine oxidase enzyme present in fetal calf serum. In support of this hypothesis, it was found that seminal plasma cytotoxicity is serum dependent and is inhibited in the presence of the amine oxidase inhibitor hydroxylamine.

Conventional techniques used for the analysis of antisperm antibodies are not suited to the mouse model because of their requirements for relatively large amounts of serum and their inability to handle large numbers of samples. This has inhibited use of the mouse as an experimental model in areas involving antisperm immunity. As the ELISA technique has been successfully applied to analysis of antisperm antibody in human sera, we investigated its use as an assay for screening antisperm antibody in mouse serum. This report describes a simplified version of the ELISA technique that we have found to be successful for this purpose. The assay described can assess levels and classes of antisperm antibody in mouse serum and can also be used as a screening assay for monoclonal antibodies to mouse sperm. It should facilitate use of the mouse in experimental work in areas involving assessment of immunity to sperm.

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