A. Kanbourshakir et al., SEMINAL FLUID AND THE EXPRESSION OF MHC CLASS-I ANTIGENS IN THE PLACENTA OF THE RAT, American journal of reproductive immunology [1989], 33(5), 1995, pp. 367-372
PROBLEM: To determine whether seminal fluid influences the expression
of MHC class I antigens on the surface of basal trophoblast cells in t
he placenta of the rat. METHODS: Transfer of DA x DA embryos into a WF
(allogeneic) or DA (syngeneic) recipient made pseudopregnant by hormo
nal treatment followed by mating with a vasectomized male (seminal flu
id) or by mechanical stimulation (no seminal fluid). Antigen expressio
n was determined by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using the
appropriate gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Seminal flui
d did not affect the expression of MHC class I antigens on the surface
of the basal trophoblast in either allogeneic or syngeneic matings. C
ONCLUSIONS: The suppression of the expression of paternal class I anti
gens on the surface of the basal trophoblast cells in allogeneic pregn
ancies most likely occurs at the genome level shortly after fertilizat
ion.