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THE DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO SPERMATOZOA AND TO BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS IN CERVICAL MUCUS

Summary.: Extracts of cervical mucus taken during the non-menstrual interval contained -globulin and several other serum proteins. Natural agglutinating antibodies to the A and B blood group antigens were present in many samples, and immune-type, haemolytic anti-A and anti-B in six out of twelve selected individuals. Antibodies to Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were also detected.

In a search for evidence of local antibody formation in the genital tract without systemic stimulation, antibody present in cervical mucus but absent from the serum was found in eleven women; two had immune-type anti-A and one had immune-type anti-B; five had antibody to H25 flagellar antigen of Escherichia coli; and three had antibody cytotoxic to spermatozoa.

Earlier reports were confirmed that spermatozoa acquired the A or B antigen from the seminal plasma of individuals secreting the antigen. The antigens from spermatozoa of non-secretors were weak or absent. It was demonstrated that spermatozoa from a group A non-secretor and from a group O individual acquired the A antigen when incubated in seminal plasma from a group A secretor. Spermatozoa coated naturally with the A antigen were unharmed when tested with immune-type anti-A sera capable of lysing group A red cells, though the antibody reacted with the spermatozoa.

A complement dependent antibody cytotoxic to spermatozoa of any ABO blood group was found in the cervical mucus of three women. In the one sample tested it separated with the 7S -globulin fraction. The antibody was specific for the spermatozoal head as detected by mixed cell antiglobulin and by immunofluorescence tests; and could be adsorbed out by group O spermatozoa. It was distinct from antinuclear factor.