SEX-DEPENDENT IMMUNE-RESPONSES BY ALLOGENIC LDH ISOZYMES

Regulatory effects on polyclonal activation of primed splenocytes have been studied following immunization through the intrarectal route wit h allogenic sperm specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C-4) and somatic LDH from kidney. Results indicate that LDH primed cell proliferation by mitogens is dependent on the nature of the isozyme and sex of donor cells. Compared to somatic LDH, LDH-C-4 was immunosuppressive for T c ell proliferation in vitro and the effect was more significant with fe male splenocytes as compared to male spleen cells. However, the suppre ssive effect of LDH-C-4 on B cell function was identical in both males and females. In contrast to the somatic LDH which did not produce all oantibody in significant amount, LDH-C-4 was highly immunogenic in pro duction of humoral antibody in female mice. Alloantibody formation in darns was substantiated with a similar degree of immune regulation of B cell functions as shown by lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The role of LDH-C-4 in protection of allogenic sperm in the female genital trac t has been suggested. However, it is concluded that recipients of sper m constituents through the intrarectal route are at greater risk for i mmune suppression and bacterial/viral infection.