Experimental studies on the passage of specific IgG to the lumen of the rabbit epididymis

Abstract

Summary. The extent to which specific IgG can reach the lumen of the rabbit cauda epididymidis was investigated by comparison of the concentration in serum and fluid of the cauda epididymidis of a specific IgG raised against dinitrophenylated bovine gamma globulin (DNP\p=n-\BGG).This specific IgG reached the epididymal lumen although in much lower concentration than the levels in serum. The IgG was measured by a specific sensitive radioimmunoassay and in 13 normal males there was a mean molar ratio of 4\m=.\0\m=x\10\m=-\3 (range: 2\m=.\5\p=n-\11\m=.\0\m=x\ 10\ m=-\ 3) between the epididymal lumen and blood; the mean ratio between cerebrospinal fluid and blood was 1\m=.\7\m=x\10\m=-\3 (4 males). Calculations, based on the absolute concentration of anti-DNP IgG in epididymal fluid in relation to total number of spermatozoa and estimated fluid volume in the cauda epididymidis, indicated approximately 40 000 molecules anti-DNP\p=n-\BGG IgG per spermatozoon. This ratio was not affected 6 days after castration or 3\p=n-\4months after vasectomy, but it was about 10 times higher than that of the controls in the cryptic epididymis subjected for 6 days to body temperature.

Immunization of male mice with B-cell epitopes in transmembrane domains of CatSper1 inhibits fertility

“…CatSper channel proteins on the surface membranes of sperm remain accessible during maturation in the epididymis and after ejaculation, indicating the antibody induced by immunization could reach CatSper channel through the serum to the epididymis and reproductive fluids. There is evidence that antibodies can enter the male reproductive tract, including rete testis (3,4), epididymis (5)(6)(7)(8), and accessory glands (9). The presence of antibody in rat epididymis has also been demonstrated in a study of male immunocontraception (7).…”

“…Immunofluorescence was also performed to detect the antibodies binding with the sperm of epididymis, considering the possibility of the transport of IgG across the bloodluminal barrier of male reproductive tract of some mammals (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Immunofluorescence was carried out as described above with spermatozoa of cauda epididymis from immunized mice, without incubation with antiserum.…”

“…The rationale and feasibility of male immunocontraception is clearly supported by the large number of overtly healthy men in whom infertility is caused by antisperm antibodies (2). The antibodies, which can enter the rete testis (3,4), epididymis (5)(6)(7)(8), and accessory glands (9), may contact with sperm in the epididymis or after ejaculation.…”

Transport of IgG across the Blood-Luminal Barrier of the Male Reproductive Tract of the Rat and the Effect of Estradiol Administration on Reabsorption of Fluid and IgG by the Epididymal Ducts1

“…However, there are structural barriers to its transport into the lumen [12], and it is not resolved whether, or how much, IgG can enter the ductuli efferentes or ductus epididymidis through the duct mucosa [11,[13][14][15], or whether fluid reabsorption by the ducts will concentrate antibodies that enter the rete testis [16]. IgG has been detected in fluid from the distal end of the ductus epididymidis [17], and the accessory glands probably contribute some IgG to semen [18].…”

Transport of carnitine by the epididymis of the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

“…While it is generally accepted that the bloodepididymis barrier serves to exclude circulating macromolecules (see Turner & Howards, 1985). there is increasing evidence that proteins may gain access to the epididymal lumen in rabbits (Weininger, Fisher, Rifkin & Bedford, 1982), hamsters (González Echeverría, Cuasnicú, Piazza, Pineiro & Blaquier, 1984) and rats (Cuasnicú, González Echeverría, Piazza, Cameo & Blaquier, 1984;Fournier-Delpech, Courot & Dubois, 1985). The present studies suggest that the epididymal barrier in the monkey may be less tenacious than that in other species and this is worthy of further investigation.…”