Immunogenicity of Testicular and Epididymal Spermatozoa

Problem: The sequential changes in the immunogenicity of spermatozoa in male reproductive tract and the effect of seminal vesicle secretions are long thought to act as central players in influencing immunological equilibrium in the male reproductive tract. Method of Study: Popliteal lymph nodes of mice were collected on the 8th day after sensitizing them with the testicular and epididymal spermatozoa of boar, weighed, dissociated into a cell suspension and the white blood cells were counted using haemocytometer. Results: The antigenicity of spermatozoa varied in different parts of male reproductive tract; lowest in corpus epididymis and highest in cauda epididymis. Seminal fluid has immunosuppressive effect on spermatozoa and antigenic effect on surrounding tissues. The development of secondary immune response to spermatozoa has also been established through this study. Conclusion: Our work is the first evidence to suggest thatthere is awell-developed immunological mechanism in the male reproductive tract and immunogenicity of spermatozoa varies in different parts of male reproductive tract.