concanavalin-a and Infertility--Male

We describe changes in the immune system of the newly established mutant line, ataxia and male sterility (AMS) mouse, and that the putative ams mutation is independent of lpr but seemed to affect lymphoproliferation in its mother strain, MRL/lpr. The mean weights of the spleen and lymph nodes of ams-lpr double-homozygous mouse were reduced compared with lpr single-homozygous mouse. Comparison between ams single-homozygous and control mice revealed 45-50% reduction of the spleen weight in the former for which reduction of the number of nucleated cells contributed greatly. In the lymphocyte/monocyte fraction of the spleen, there were significant changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subpopulations, with a reduction of B cells, an increase in CD4 and CD8 T cells, and a decrease in the CD4 : CD8 ratio. In vitro response of splenocytes to concanavalin A showed inconspicuous dose- and time-dependent responses in ams homozygous spleen, suggesting functional alteration of the immunological response. Our results indicate that ams mutation affects the immune system in addition to its two other major effects on the central nervous system and male reproductive system.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Autoimmunity; Body Weight; Concanavalin A; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Genetic Linkage; Infertility, Male; Lymphocyte Subsets; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; Mice, Neurologic Mutants; Organ Size; Spleen

To assess the effect of seminal plasma (SP) of fertile and infertile men on leukocyte mitogenic response, and the capability of sperm cells to produce IL-1.. This study included four groups: fertile men (donors, normal), infertile men with azoospermia (azoo), oligo-terato-asthenozoospermia (OTA), and OTA with genital infection (OTA-inf). Mouse spleen cell proliferation in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Concanavalin-A (Con-A) was examined in the presence of SP from the above four groups. Supernatants (sup) and lysates (lys) of sperm cells from fertile and oligoteratoasthenospermic (OTA) men were evaluated for IL-1 bioactivity by specific bioassay.. Seminal plasma (SP) of the four groups were shown to inhibit the mitogenic response of mouse spleen cells to LPS and Con-A. SP of fertile men was significantly more inhibitory than SP from infertile men. Sperm cells from fertile and OTA infertile men constitutively produced IL-1. Sperm cells of both groups produced similar levels of IL-1 as examined in the supernatants and lysates.. Seminal plasma of fertile men had more inhibitory mitogenic activity than that of OTA. Sperm cells constitutively produce IL-1. It is possible that the factors involved in this inhibition are not only anti-proliferative immune factors. Cytokines and inhibitory factors of mitogenesis in the seminal plasma may be involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of sperm functions and thus affect male fertility.

Topics: Animals; Concanavalin A; Cytokines; Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Male; Interleukin-1; Lipopolysaccharides; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Mice; Mitogens; Semen; Spermatozoa; Spleen

In order to identify the surface antigens of human spermatozoa recognized by the sera of immune infertile men, sperm membrane-specific antibodies were obtained from three serum samples exhibiting high titres of antibodies with different sperm-binding patterns. Serum antibodies were adsorbed onto normal motile spermatozoa and subsequently eluted from the sperm membrane. Using the immunoblotting technique under renaturating conditions, the sperm-eluted antibodies were tested against an electrophoretically fractionated sperm membrane preparation. A total of 15 protein bands ranging from 110 to 16 kDa were defined, but the immunoblot profiles differed quantitatively and qualitatively from one serum to another. Only two polypeptides were recognized by the three sperm membrane-specific antibody preparations; one of 90 kDa and another of 110 kDa. Blots were also used for the affinodetection of specific oligosaccharide side chains. Three lectins were tested (concanavalin A, Pisum sativum, and wheat germ agglutinin). Of the 15 protein zones recognized by the antibodies, 11 bound at least one lectin and should contain glycopeptides with oligosaccharides of four different types: N-linked biantennary complex type, N-linked fucosylated complex type, N-linked lactosaminyl complex type with terminal sialic acid and polysialyl type oligosaccharides. Further analysis of these glycoproteins will be pursued with sperm-associated antibodies eluted from the ejaculates of infertile men in order to define those with a potential role in the fertilization process.

Topics: Autoantibodies; Autoantigens; Binding Sites; Cell Membrane; Concanavalin A; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunosorbent Techniques; Infertility, Male; Lectins; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Plant Lectins; Spermatozoa; Wheat Germ Agglutinins

Adequate acrosome reaction is one of the essential events that has to occur in successful mammalian fertilization. The purpose of the present study was to assess the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa by means of iodine-labelled lectins concanavalin A and peanut agglutinin ([125I]Con A and [125I]PNA). Six sperm samples in the control (fertile) group were compared with 24 samples obtained from infertile patients. The acrosome reaction in both groups was induced in vitro by adding follicular fluid. Iodine-labelled lectins were bound to the sperm surface, and alteration in the binding capacity for [125I]PNA and [125I]Con A after induced acrosomal reaction was the main parameter for the prediction of acrosome reaction and fertilizing ability. It is hoped that with the availability of this test, in-vivo data may be accumulated.

Topics: Acrosome; Arachis; Biological Assay; Concanavalin A; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Infertility, Male; Iodine Radioisotopes; Lectins; Male; Peanut Agglutinin; Plant Lectins; Sperm Agglutination

16 men with chronic prostatitis were evaluated immunologically in order to examine possible relationships between prostate infection, defective cellular immune responses and the occurrence of sperm antibodies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN) from 14 of 16 (88%) patients exhibited reduced or absent responses in vitro when incubated with an extract of Candida albicans. PBMN proliferation in response to the mitogen Concanavalin A (Con A) was reduced in 5 of 16 (31%) men. In addition, sera from 6 patients inhibited the Candida-induced proliferative response of control PBMC; 2 of these sera also reduced the Con A-directed response. Sperm antibodies, evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using fresh motile spermatozoa, were found in 9 of 16 (56%) patients. PBMC responses were reduced in all, and suppressive sera present in 5, of the men with sperm antibodies. IgG antibodies predominated. 4 of the sera positive by ELISA also agglutinated spermatozoa. Levels of IgG sperm antibodies were correlated with the degree of immunosuppression by patient sera (p less than 0.02). These data suggest that decreased cellular immunity and enhanced humoral reactivity to sperm are common in men with chronic prostatitis. Both may contribute to an increased rate of prostatic infection in these men.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Candida albicans; Concanavalin A; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Infertility, Male; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatitis; Spermatozoa; T-Lymphocytes