The binding patterns of antisera to sex steroids and human gonadotropins on human and rhesus monkey spermatozoa

The presence of different hormones on the surface of ejaculated spermatozoa was determined by immunofluorescence studies of the binding patterns of specific antisera to these hormones. There were striking similarities in the binding pattern of antisera to steroid hormones found on human and monkey spermatozoa. Assuming the intensity of fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of the hormone, concentrations of testosterone on the acrosomal and the postacrosomal regions were higher than levels of progesterone and estrogens. Spermatozoa with a “tapering head” had more hCG bound on the acrosomal and postacrosomal regions than spermatozoa with “normal head” (oval shaped). Correlating these findings to the functions of spermatozoa will require further studies.