In vitro studies in reproductive immunology. 3. Restoration of mitogenic activity of lymphocytes inhibited by seminal plasma in man.

Human seminal plasma, (HuSePl) is inhibitory to mitogen (PHA-M, Con-A, and PWM) lymphocyte activation. The inhibition does not require the continuous presence of HuSePl. Lymphocyte cultures remain inhibited after 24-hr contact with HuSePl and subsequent washings. Addition of fresh autochthonous lymphocytes or T cells but not B cells can restore the mitogenic activity of HuSePl-inhibited lymphocyte cultures. These observations suggest that T-lymphocyte in the male genital tract are surveilled by HuSePl and lack of inhibitory material could induce an immunologic response by spermatozoal antigens.