Abstract
This chapter describes modified seminal plasma antigens and subfertility. Freshly ejaculated seminal plasma lacks antigenicity detectable by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. The appearance of antigenicity follows incubation with bacteria and can be produced in any specimen of semen although the time of appearance and duration of activity show variation. The role of bacteria in the production of seminal plasma antigenicity is not clear. Seven bacterial types are present in pool of seminal plasma, and they originate from the external genitalia. The incubation of seminal plasma with these bacteria results in the appearance of bacterial antigenicity, and antigenicity unassociated with bacteria but associated with seminal plasma. During incubation, antigens of bacterial origin are released into the seminal plasma, and they contribute to the total antigenicity. Few of these are heat labile and can, therefore, be removed by heating to 70ºC. The thermostable antigens can be absorbed out with specific chicken antibacterial antisera.
Published Version
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