Abstract
The study was planned with an objective to assess the level of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in the blood serum and seminal plasma of breeding cow bulls and their relationship with sperm function and fertility tests. ASA was analyzed in blood serum and seminal plasma by SpermMar test, Immuno peroxidase assay (IPA) and Enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). In SpermMar test, about 54% bulls were with >40% IgG in blood serum against sperm surface antigens, whereas none of the bulls were with >10% IgG in seminal plasma. More than 20% and >10% IgA against sperm surface antigens were detected in the blood serum and seminal plasma of 65.8% and 37% bulls, respectively. Out of 26 bulls, seminal plasma of 21 bulls reacted with spermatozoa both in IPA and IgA latex particles and that of only 12 bulls reacted with IgG. In IPA, about 50% of the bulls had >40% ASA against head surface antigens, whereas, there were 23% bulls with >10% ASA in seminal plasma. Also ELISA indicated a higher antibody titre in blood serum (3200 - 6400) and seminal plasma (40 - 80) of 50% and 42% bulls, respectively. There were 11 bulls with low values of HOST/in vitro acrosome reaction/cervical mucus penetration assay and higher level of either serum or seminal plasma ASA. Our study revealed that a significant level of ASA in serum or seminal plasma may have effect on the fertility of bulls by affecting the sperm function.
Highlights
Sperm has long been known to be antigenic and antisperm antibodies (ASA) are immune-reactive proteins produced by the body in response to the sperm antigens
Immunoperoxidase Assay Browning of acrosome, equatorial segment and whole head surface in the presence of blood serum or seminal plasma indicated the development of antibodies against surface proteins of acrosome, equatorial segment and whole head in bulls (Figure 1)
There was 39.5% ± 2.1% and 8.2% ± 1% browning of acrosome, equatorial segment and whole head surface in the presence of blood serum and seminal plasma of bulls respectively
Summary
Sperm has long been known to be antigenic and antisperm antibodies (ASA) are immune-reactive proteins produced by the body in response to the sperm antigens. The blood-testis barrier (BTB), a tight junction among sertoli cells, separates the spermatozoa and immune system. It prevents testicular cells, which express foreign antigens from coming into contact with lymphoid tissue and immunocompetant cells. Sperm antibodies may be both transudates from the blood and secreted locally by plasma cells within the reproductive tract [2]. Sperm-reactive antibodies can be present in serum yet undetectable in semen or within female reproductive tract secretions [3]. Negative effect of ASA on sperm function during in vitro fertilization (IVF) was demonstrated by Kim et al and Lombardo et al [4] [5]. The study was done with an objective to evaluate the relationship of ASA with sperm function and fertility tests in cattle bulls
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