Inhibition of viral reverse transcriptase and human sperm DNA polymerase by anti-sperm antibodies
Witkin, S.S.; Higgins, P.J.; Bendich, A.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 33(2): 244-251
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 82498 Document Number: 136826
The IgG fraction of serum from a rabbit immunized with detergent-prepared human sperm nuclei inhibited the DNA polymerase activities in human sperm and seminal fluid and the partially purified reverse transcriptase of the baboon endogenous type-C retrovirus (BEV). The analogous enzymes from lysates of oncogenic type-C viruses were unaffected. IgG from the serum of individual partners from infertile marriages similarly inhibited purified BEV reverse transcriptase and human sperm DNA polymerase, but not a DNA polymerase isolated from human prostatic fluid. BEV reverse transcriptase and the human sperm DNA polymerase may be antigenically related. The sperm enzyme appears auto-antigenic and the antibodies formed may be capable of interfering with reproductive success.