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Biol Bull 142: 397-406. (June 1972)
© 1972 Marine Biological Laboratory
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IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE SPERM AND SEMINAL FLUID IN THE HORSESHOE CRAB LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS L. (MEROSTOMATA)

CAROL DAVIS COOPER 1 and GEORGE GORDON BROWN 1

1 Department of Zoology and Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010

Immunological methods were used to investigate Limulus sperm antigens. Immunoelectrophoresis experiments revealed seven soluble sperm antigens, and absorption techniques demonstrated that five of these antigens are located on the sperm surface.

Agglutination tests showed that surfaces of the sperm nucleus, acrosomal cap, and flagellum have both different and common antigens. The surface of the acrosomal rod is nonantigenic.

Immunodiffusion experiments revealed that the spermatozoa, seminal particles, and seminal plasma have some antigens in common. The seminal particles are strongly agglutinated by anti-sperm sera and moderate agglutination occurs between particles and sperm flagella.

Cross reactions of anti-sperm sera with Limulus egg and heart extracts demonstrated that two sperm subsurface antigens are also present in these other types of cells. Absorption techniques combined with immunodiffusion experiments gave evidence that two sperm surface antigens react with components on the egg surface.






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Copyright © 1972 by the Marine Biological Laboratory.