Gene expression of a region of chromosome 17 during murine spermatogenesis.

The presence of H-2-linked gene products on spermatozoa and their time of appearance during spermatogenesis was determined. Thymus leukaemia antigen specificities 1, 2 and 3 could not be detected on spermatozoa by absorption of the antisera. Immunofluorescent studies with anti-Slp sera did not reveal any specific reactivity with target spermatozoa. In contrast, H-2D antigens were present on somatic as well as germ line components in testes so the time of their first appearance during spermatogenesis could not be precisely specified. Cell separation experiments indicate that H-2D antigens are present on pachytene spermatocytes and increased in quantity on spermatids. The sperm-specific isoenzyme of phosphoglycerate kinase, Pgk-2, appears at a later stage of spermatogenesis than do the H-2 region antigens.