H-2 antigens on mouse spermatozoa

Mouse spermatozoa were examined by immune fluorescence and cytotoxic tests for H-2 antigens, and two types of reaction against spermatozoa were detected. Both normal and immune sera reacted with spermatozoa by both techniques. In the case of the cytotoxic test the reaction had two components: (1) a sperm-specific reaction attributable to a naturally occurring antibody, and (2) a reaction specifically directed against H-2 antigens on spermatozoa. In the case of the immune fluorescence test only a sperm- specific reaction was detected and no evidence of H-2 antigens on spermatozoa was found. The two types of reaction are compared and discussed in the light of previously reported results.