Detection in human sera of antibodies directed against the hamster egg oolemma.

Heteroantibodies were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence in human sera, which reacted with unfertilized and fertilized hamster eggs. Oolemmal antigens to which these antibodies were directed were distinct from antigen present on the surface of living human spermatozoa. Both species-specific and tissue-specific heteroantibodies were demonstrated by absorption with hamster liver and ovary. An increased degree of heteroantibody binding was noted following penetration of zona-free hamster eggs by human spermatozoa, indicating that an alteration in oolemmal antigen distribution had occurred. No evidence was found, however, that antisperm antibodies in these sera reacted with zona-free hamster eggs following their fertilization.