Abstract
While studying the plasma membrane of sperm of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, we developed an antiserum that exhibits unusual reactivity—it cross-reacts with the surfaces of spermatozoa of 28 species representing seven phyla of the animal kingdom. A negative cross-reaction has not been found. This suggests the possible existence of common antigenic determinants on the surface of all animal sperm. We report these preliminary results here because of the broad implications common sperm-surface antigenicity has for the potential development of immunocontraceptive methods.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dewey, M. J., Gearhart, J. D. & Mintz, B. Devl Biol. 55, 359–374 (1977).
Russo, J., Metz, C. B. & Dunbar, B. S. Biol. Reprod. 13, 136–141 (1975).
Wachtel, S. S. Science 198, 797–799 (1977).
Silvers, W. K. & Wachtel, S. S. Science 195, 956–960 (1977).
Goldberg, E. H., Boyse, E. A., Bennett, D., Scheid, M. & Carswell, E. A. Nature 232, 478–480 (1971).
Koo, G. C., Stackpole, C. W., Boyse, E. A., Hammerling, U. & Lardis, M. P. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 1502–1505 (1973).
Solter, D. & Schachner, M. Devl Biol. 52, 98–104 (1976).
Allen, G. J. & Bourne, F. J. J. exp. Zool. 203, 271–276.
Lopo, A. C. & V. D. Vacquier Devl Biol. 79, 325–333 (1980).
Adair, W. S. & Goodenough, U. W. J. Cell Biol. 79, 54a (1978).
Dentler, W. L. J. Cell Biol. 84, 364–380 (1980).
Dentler, W. L., Pratt, M. M. & Stephens, R. E. J. Cell Biol. 84, 381–403 (1980).
Stephens, R. E. Biochemistry 16, 2047–2058 (1977).
Goudie, R. B., Horne, C. H. W. & Wilkinson, P. C. Lancet ii, 1224–1228 (1966).
Hanker, J. S., Yates, P. E., Metz, C. B. & Rustioni, A. Histochem. J. 9, 789–792 (1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lopo, A., Vacquier, V. Sperm-specific surface antigenicity common to seven animal phyla. Nature 288, 397–399 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/288397a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/288397a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.