Antibodies against surface antigens common to spermatogenic and F9 teratocarcinoma cells in mice immunized with blood group substances from human saliva.

Significant inhibition of spermatogenesis and production of antibodies against membrane antigens of spermatogenic and F9 teratocarcinoma cells were observed in mice of the strain 129/Sv after immunization with human blood group substances from saliva of A, B or H secretors. Absorption of the mouse anti-ABH sera with appropriate human erythrocytes did not change their reactivity with testicular and F9 cells, whereas absorption with F9 cells eliminated the reactivity with both F9 and spermatogenic cells. This pattern of reactivity, together with higher binding of the anti-ABH sera to the cells expressing stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA-1), suggests that these antisera contain antibodies against developmentally regulated carbohydrate antigens. SSEA-1 was found in the blood group substances used for immunization. The results support the hypothesis that the oncofetal F9 antigens and spermatogenic differentiation antigens are similar carbohydrate structures.