Analysis of antigen expression on human spermatozoa by means of monoclonal antibodies.

Hybridoma cell lines were obtained by fusing NS-1 mouse myeloma cells with splenocytes from female mice immunized with whole washed human spermatozoa. Nine clonally derived cell lines were selected which secrete monoclonal antibodies against integral spermatozoan antigens. Immunofluorescence studies showed specific binding of the individual monoclonal antibodies to localized regions of the sperm cell: acrosomal cap, equatorial segment, and midpiece. Five of these antibodies also recognized antigenic determinants of isolated acrosin. The monoclonal antibodies provide probes for the immunochemical characterization of sperm antigens and for the elucidation of the role of these antigens in spermatozoan function.