An Immune Response to Egg-Yolk Semen Diluent in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Antibodies to egg-yolk semen diluent antigens were isolated from the majority of samples from the vagina, uterus and serum of cows which had received repeated artificial inseminations with semen diluted in egg-yolk diluent. The vagina was the site from which antibodies were isolated most frequently. There was evidence that the titres of antibodies in the genital tract resulted in part, at least, from local antibody production by the vaginal and uterine tissues.Samples with titres to egg-yolk diluent antigens, when tested in vitro, caused mixed agglutination of homologous spermatozoa diluted in egg\ x=req-\ yolk diluent, while non-specific head-to-head agglutination was seen when the spermatozoa had been diluted in saline. When the cows were inseminated with homologous semen diluted in egg-yolk diluent, the fertility of animals which had uterine titres was significantly lower (P\ m=ge\ 0\m=.\05) than that of animals which had no titres.Antibodies to homologous bovine semen were detected in very few uterine samples from animals which had received repeated inseminations.

Photoperiodic regulation of reproduction in the male silver fox (Vulpes vulpes)

“…In the present investigation an egg-yolk-Tris extender was used for semen preservation. It has been shown that egg-yolk diluents can induce uterine antibody titers that may adversely affect fertility in cattle, but it is not known what effect dosage has on this response (Griffin et al, 1971).…”

Bovine reproductive immunoinfertility: pathogenesis and immunotherapy

“…The important component of the semen extender is egg yolk and proteins of egg yolk may act as antigens, which was confirmed by isolating antibodies against the egg yolk antigens in inseminated heifers in the early postpartum period ( 25 ) as well as in vagina and uterus of inseminated cows ( 26 ).…”