The antigens and autoantigens of the seminal vesicle. II. Immunochemical studies on rabbit vesicular fluid.

Rabbit vesicular fluid (RVF) was shown to contain only one major electrophoretic component. This component, isolated by starch block electrophoresis, was found to have a molecular weight, by determination of sedimentation and diffusion coefficients, of approximately 17,300. This major component was also effective in isoimmunization. Another component, possibly a minor one, had similar antigenic properties. The major component, and the "minor" one also, were found to be highly tissue-specific (that is, accessory glands-specific) and also species-specific. Isoimmunization procedures have led to the production of autoantibodies. No delayed hypersensitivity response or lesions of the accessory glands of reproduction resulted. It was concluded that the major reason no lesions were found was that the rabbit was not able to develop a delayed hypersensitivity type of response to the components of RVF. When rabbit vesicular fluid was ejaculated as part of the seminal plasma, its molecules were still able to induce an autoantibody response by isoimmunization techniques. This was the same as the response induced by rabbit vesicular fluid, itself.