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Nature of the Spermagglutinin in the Normal Serum of Rabbits

Nature New Biology volume 238, pages 25–26 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THE agglutination of homologous spermatozoa1,2 by heat-inactivated rabbit serum (56° C for 30 min) seems to be an immunological reaction. Although complement fixing activity of normal rabbit serum by rabbit spermatozoa was reported3,4, antibody-like activity was not proved. Edwards3 obtained neither immobilization of spermatozoa nor a positive reaction with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and precipitin tests. Immunofluorescence6 and mixed conglutination7 gave similar results for spermagglutinin activity in normal rabbit serum. Germinal cells of guinea-pig testis have been lysed by the animal's own serum8, but contrary findings have been reported9–11 in which reaction between serum and homologous spermatozoa by immunofluorescence was negative. I have now investigated whether the spermagglutinin activity of normal rabbit serum is associated with antibody protein.

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References

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Author notes

  1. M. C. PADMA

    Present address: Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 7, (A.P.), India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Dairy Chemistry, Southern Regional Station, National Dairy Research Institute, Adugodi, Bangalore, 30

    M. C. PADMA

Authors
  1. M. C. PADMA
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PADMA, M. Nature of the Spermagglutinin in the Normal Serum of Rabbits. Nature New Biology 238, 25–26 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238025a0

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