CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR HUMAN SPERM - EFFECT OF CRL-10 ON ACROSOME REACTION

Monoclonal antibodies to human sperm were obtained from hyperimmunized BALB/c mouse spleen cells fused with myeloma NS-1 cells. Each antibod y recognized definite regions in fresh unfixed sperm: equatorial regio n, acrosome, postacrosome, midpiece, tail. All the antibodies were spe cific for sperm. We selected CRL-10 monoclonal antibody, specific for acrosome, for a detailed study. The expression of the CRL-10 antibody- bound antigen was detected in other mammalian species. When CRL-10 ant ibody was added prior to sperm incubation in a capacitating medium, pr omotion of the acrosome reaction was observed.