HLA‐A and ‐B (but not ‐C, ‐Bw4, Bw6 or ‐DR antigens) are expressed on purified spermatozoa

Abstract

HLA‐A and ‐B antigens have been found in purified spermatozoa using a double fluorescence cytotoxicity tecnique and specific absorptions. HLA‐C, ‐Bw4, Bw6 and ‐DR antigens have not been found using the same techniques. Controversial results regarding HLA expression on spermatozoa have been presumably obtained because of a lack of both seminal cell purification and an appropriate more accurate cytotixicity technique. The presence of HLA antigens on seminal cells may be of relevance to explain the postulated immunosuppressive alloimmunization which may occur in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Absence of HLA class I and class II antigens as well as ß2‐microglobulin from normal and pathological human spermatozoa

“…In contrast to our results, several groups of investigators, most recently Rodriguez-Cordoba & Arnaiz- Villena (1985), reported the presence of HLA-class I, class I1 molecules or R2m on human sperm cells. Since conventional HLA-typing sera were employed instead of monoclonal antibodies in these studies, the possibility has to be taken into account that these might react with molecules specified by HLA-linked genes, or even completely unrelated antigens present on sperm.…”

“…Fellous & Dausset (1970), Kerek & Afzelius (1972), Arnaiz-Villena & Festenstein (1976). Halim et al (1974Halim et al ( , 1982 as well as Rodriguez-Cordoba & Arnaiz-Villena (1985) reported the presence of H-2 or HLA-class I molecules on mouse or human sperm cells, respectively, and several investigators described haploid expression of these polymorphic proteins as well. &-Microglobulin (8,rn) was detected on spermatozoa by Fellous and coworkers (1976) with a xenoantiserum.…”