Sperm artificially exposed to antisperm antibodies show altered deoxyribonucleic acid

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics Vol. 16; no. 8; pp. 443 - 449
• Main Authors: EVANS, M. L, CHAN, P. J, PATTON, W. C, KING, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Kluwer/Plenum 01-09-1999; Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers
• Subjects: Acridine Orange; Adult; Ageing, cell death; Antibodies - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Cell physiology; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; DNA - genetics; DNA Mutational Analysis; Fluorescent Dyes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Deletion; Globins - genetics; Humans; Male; Molecular and cellular biology; Point Mutation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spermatozoa - chemistry; Spermatozoa - cytology; Spermatozoa - immunology; Time Factors; Human; Polymerase chain reaction; Spermatozoa; Antibody; Gel electrophoresis; DNA; Denaturation; Mutation; Germinal cell; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1020525726674

Our purpose was to assess sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity after exposure to antisperm antibodies.
Donor semen were divided and exposed to sera containing IgG, IgA, and IgM antisperm antibodies. Untreated portions served as the control. After incubation (1 hr, 23 degrees C), the sperm were centrifuge-washed, resuspended, and incubated (23 degrees C) for 2, 5, 7, or 9 days. Acridine orange staining and kinematic parameters were measured. The sentinel (17q21 from D17S855) and beta-globin genes were amplified and analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.
Sperm preexposed to antisperm antibodies had deleted sentinel gene on days 7 and 9. The beta-globin gene was intact. There were no differences in acridine orange staining.
Sperm artificially exposed to antisperm antibodies resulted in a subtle deletion of genetic material. The DNA alteration process was slow and was undetectable at the gross level. More studies are needed to confirm the findings and determine whether DNA repair mechanisms can reverse the damage.