Studies of sperm antigenicity. 6. In vivo and in vitro cellular reactivity in guinea pigs sensitized with fractions of guinea pig spermatozoa.

Normal guinea pig spermatozoa cells were homogenized by a French pressure cell. Three soluble and three insoluble fractions were obtained by ultrascentrifugation and (emulsified in CFA) were used for guinea pig sensitization. The following were observed: 1) all fractions were immunogenic except one; 2) in vivo and in vitro delayed hypersensitivity was elicited in animals immunized with these fractions; 3) two distinctive histopathologic lesions were observed in the testes of sensitized animals: lesions of orchitis type developed in animals injected with some fractions. Other fractions induced lesions of aspermatogenic type. These results correlated well with delayed hypersensitivity results obtained by in vivo and in vitro tests. Although some other spermatozoal fractions did not cause severe changes in the testes. The lack of sperm accumulation in the epididymis was obvious.