Transforming growth factor beta 1 enhances expression of 50 kDa protein related to 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase in human sperm cells.

Human cellular polypeptide factors, namely interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, and TGF-beta 1, were analyzed for their effect on motility of human sperm cells. Both interferons caused an inhibition of sperm cell motility due to direct cytotoxic effects without inducing 2'-5' oligoadenylate [2-5(A)]synthetase activity. TGF-alpha affected neither motility nor the levels of 2-5(A) synthetase in sperm cells.

Effects of sperm-reactive antibodies present in human infertile sera on fertility of female rabbits.

Sera (n = 19) from immunoinfertile patients were analyzed for cross-reaction with lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized human sperm extract (HSE), protamine and fertilization antigen (FA-1) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the sera tested, 63% reacted with HSE, 58% with protamine and 63% with FA-1. None of the sera from male or female infertile patients was found to contain immune complexes, indicating the antibodies were present in free form.

Lymphocyte proliferative response to fertilization antigen in patients with antisperm antibodies.

The fertilization antigen, immunopurified from human testes, activated lymphocytes from three of the six men and women with antisperm antibodies. Lymphocytes from none of the six men and women without antibodies were activated with fertilization antigen. Another sperm surface antigen, the germ cell antigen, immunopurified from murine testes, did not activate lymphocytes from any of the individuals with or without antisperm antibodies.

Antibodies to sperm surface fertilization antigen (FA-1): their specificities and site of interaction with sperm in male genital tract.

The fertilization antigen (FA-1) isolated from murine testes demonstrated its dimeric form of 49,000 +/- 2,000 molecular weight (M.W.) or a monomer of 23,000 M.

Antisperm antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus infection: effects on fertilization and embryonic development.

Sera from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected males (n = 10) and females (n = 5) were analyzed for the presence of antisperm antibodies reacting against sperm-specific antigens. Of the HIV-positive males tested, sera of 40% were positive for human sperm extract (HSE), 70% for protamine, and 70% for fertilization antigen (FA-1) for at least one class of antibodies, compared to sera from HIV-negative males. Of the HIV-positive females tested, sera of 40% were positive for HSE, 30% for protamine, and 30% for FA-1 compared to sera from HIV-negative females.

The detection in human sera of antisperm antibodies reactive with FA-1, an evolutionarily conserved antigen, and with murine spermatozoa.

Evolutionarily conserved antigens are present on spermatozoa of several mammalian species. We tested sera from infertile men and women containing antisperm antibodies (ASAs) for their reactivity with FA-1, an antigen known to be present on murine and human spermatozoa. Fifty percent of male sera and 63% of female sera contained anti-FA-1 antibodies, as judged by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Cell-mediated immune responses to sperm antigens: effects on mouse sperm and embryos.

Sperm antigens were assessed for their ability to induce cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses. Purified fertilization antigen (FA-1), protamine, and the lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized sperm preparation activated presensitized lymphocytes to secrete soluble mediators that activated macrophages and significantly inhibited sperm motility and embryonic development. The FA-1, however, was the most potent antigen in inducing proliferative response as well as the release of soluble mediators.

Sperm antibodies in vasectomized men and their effects on fertilization.

Sera (vbs, n = 25) and seminal plasma (vsp, n = 21) from vasectomized men (n = 25) were analyzed for cross-reaction with lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized human sperm extract, protamine, and fertilization antigen (FA-1) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the vbs tested, 44% reacted with human sperm extract, 28% reacted with protamine, and 44% reacted with FA-1 for at least one class of antibodies (IgG, IgA, or IgM). In contrast to the sera, the seminal plasma showed minimal reactions.

Metabolism of murine and human embryos: search for a growth indicator in vitro culture medium.

Ham's F-10 medium was analyzed biochemically before and after growth of murine and human embryos. Ham's F-10 medium (280 mosm/kg, pH 7.4) alone, by means of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, demonstrated one major hydrophilic peak, which eluted at 4 to 8 minutes in a 10% to 48% acetonitrile gradient.

Involvement of fertilization antigen (FA-1) in involuntary immunoinfertility in humans.

Sera from immunoinfertile patients (n = 32) and fertile controls (n = 20) were analyzed for cross-reaction with a purified and characterized sperm-specific glycoprotein, the fertilization antigen (FA-1), employing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The immunoinfertile sera demonstrated a strong reaction with FA-1 when compared with fertile control sera. There was no correlation between the reaction of sera with FA-1 and the titers obtained through the sperm agglutination technique and the sperm immobilization technique.

Thymosin alpha 1 levels in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid: implication in germ cell function.

High levels of thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1) were detected in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid. In the seminal plasma of 19 males studies, T alpha 1 levels varied from 614 to 2,604 pg/mL (mean +/- SD, 1,682.4 +/- 453.

The fertilization antigen (FA-1) causes a reduction of fertility in actively immunized female rabbits.

Female rabbits were actively immunized against the fertilization antigen (FA-1) isolated from lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized murine testis. Three trials were performed in order to check the effect of immunization on fertility. In all of these trials, there was a significant (P less than 0.

Reduction of fertility in female rabbits and mice actively immunized with a germ cell antigen (GA-1) from the rabbit.

Female rabbits and mice were actively immunized against germ cell antigen (GA-1) of 63 kDa molecular mass isolated from rabbit sperm and testis. There was a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction of fertility in rabbits actively immunized with GA-1 as compared to controls, as seen by the percentage of 9-day implants/corpora lutea ratio (GA-1, 36.

Factors influencing murine embryo bioassay: effects of proteins, aging of medium, and surgical glove coatings.

The 2-cell murine embryo bioassay as quality control for human in vitro fertilization (IVF) was used to evaluate the effects of protein supplements, medium aging, and surgical glove coatings. Ham's F-10 medium (GIBCO, Grand Island, NY) without protein supplementation supported growth of the 2-cell embryos to blastocysts. Addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA), fetal cord serum (FCS), or maternal serum (MS) did not enhance or reduce the blastulation rates (medium alone, 89.

Characterization of the fertilization antigen 1 for the development of a contraceptive vaccine.

A fertilization antigen, FA-1, was purified from either deoxycholate- or lithium diiodosalicylate-solubilized murine testes by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody, MA-24, which inhibited fertilization in vitro. The FA-1 was recovered at high (11.4) or low (2.

Reversibility of azoospermia induced by bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

A single intratesticular injection of bacillus Calmette-Guerin induces azoospermia within 3 to 6 weeks in a variety of animals without loss of androgens. After a period of azoospermia, the return of spermatogenesis was observed in dogs and monkeys. Seven dogs that showed aspermatogenesis after a local instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (20-110 units per testis) again demonstrated spermatogenesis after a period of 153 to 325 days of azoospermia.

Development and application of monoclonal antibodies for specific detection of human enteric adenoviruses.

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against enteric adenovirus by fusing P3-NS1/-Ag4-1 mouse myeloma cells with lymphocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with enteric adenovirus 40 (Ad40) G2297. Of the several putative clones secreting antibodies to adenovirus, five were found to react specifically to the enteric adenovirus. The specificity of two of these monoclones which recognize a single antigen of a molecular size of 17 kilodaltons was evaluated against 78 clinical isolates.

Successful human pregnancy following in vitro fertilization using frozen semen.

Frozen-thawed husband's semen was utilized for insemination of spouse's oocytes in vitro. Postthaw semen had a low motility (40%) with a poor forward progression (+2), which subsequently decreased rapidly in the regularly used Ham's F-10 medium (pH 7.42, 280 mosmol/kg) supplemented with 7.

Monoclonal antibody to a human germ cell membrane glycoprotein that inhibits fertilization.

A monoclonal antibody to an antigen in the human germ cell membrane did not agglutinate or immobilize sperm but inhibited binding and penetration of zona-free hamster ova by human sperm and blocked murine fertilization in vitro. The antibody, of the 2a subclass of immunoglobulin G, was germ cell-specific but not species-specific. It recognized a single antigen of 23 kilodaltons that has been isolated from human germ cells.

Characterization of a membrane antigen from rabbit testis and sperm isolated by using monoclonal antibodies and effect of its antiserum on fertility.

An antigen was isolated from deoxycholate-solubilized rabbit testis and sperm by using an immunosorbent column containing IgG from a monoclonal antibody (8C10.5) that inhibits fertility. Elution was by stepwise increases in pH (8.