Detection of Human Spermatozoal Peptides After Conjugation to 125J-Labelled Human Serum Albumin

Human spermatozoal peptides, liberated during autolysis of the cells, were fractionated by gelfiltration chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. After conjugation to 125I-labeIIed human serum albumin, all fractions were assayed with rabbit antihuman spermatozoa antiserum. The reactions indicated the presence of a number of antigenic peptides in the spermatozoal autolysate and one of the fractions revealed a significantly higher antibody binding capacity than all other fractions assayed (P < 0 05). Release of immunogenic peptides during autolysis of the spermatozoal membrane could be important in the aetiology of spermatozoal iso- and autoantibodies.