Suppression of epididymal sperm antigenicity in the rabbit by uteroglobin and transglutaminase in vitro

DC Mukherjee, AK Agrawal, R Manjunath… - Science, 1983 - science.org
DC Mukherjee, AK Agrawal, R Manjunath, AB Mukherjee
Science, 1983science.org
There is evidence that the mammalian female genital tract is capable of responding
immunologically when challenged with alloantigens. The antigenic properties of male
gametes have been well delineated. However, it is only rarely that a female mammal ever
responds immunologically to the male gametic antigens as a result of coitus. When a
proposed mechanism of suppression of antigenicity of epididymal spermatozoa was tested
experimentally, the results indicated that two proteins (uteroglobin and transglutaminase) …
There is evidence that the mammalian female genital tract is capable of responding immunologically when challenged with alloantigens. The antigenic properties of male gametes have been well delineated. However, it is only rarely that a female mammal ever responds immunologically to the male gametic antigens as a result of coitus. When a proposed mechanism of suppression of antigenicity of epididymal spermatozoa was tested experimentally, the results indicated that two proteins (uteroglobin and transglutaminase) present in the prostate may be responsible for suppressing sperm antigenicity in the rabbit.
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