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T Hjort

Publications and source records attributed to T Hjort.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Antibodies to spermatozoa and seminal plasma antigens detected by various enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays.

Various ELISA methods have been applied by different research centers to test the efficiency of this approach for the diagnosis of sperm-immune infertility cases. The antigens used were either whole spermatozoa or solubilized spermatozoal membrane preparations and were immobilized on microtiter plates, except in one case where plastic beads were employed. Polyvalent second antibodies or protein-A labelled with enzymes served as tracers. A high frequency of positive sera was found in all groups including fertile controls with tests using whole spermatozoa as antigen. The methods using solubilized antigen preparations showed fewer positives on the whole and correlated better with the various clinical categories of the WHO sera. Whilst there was some agreement in the results between the various laboratories on a few sera, most of the positive sera found by one laboratory were reported as negative by others. More investigative work is needed to improve reproducibility between different laboratories and to reduce non-specific reactions with normal controls. A more precise definition of the proper cut-off levels for positives and negatives is also needed. Despite these short-comings, the development of an ELISA for the diagnosis of sperm-immune infertility cases seems to be justified in the long term.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

Sequelae to genital trauma in torture victims.

Possible sequelae to genital trauma were investigated in ten male victims of torture. Two of the victims examined showed testicular atrophy. No significant difference was found in the serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin in those subjected to genital torture, when compared with a control group. Serum spermatocoagglutinins were not found to be increased in either of the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Immunoglobulin classes, secretory component, and sperm agglutinins in semen after vasovasostomy.

The immunoglobulin classes of the sperm-agglutinating antibodies in the seminal fluid and serum from four vasovasostomized men, as well as in operatively obtained testis-epididymis fluid from two of them, were investigated by specific solid-phase absorption of IgG, IgM, and IgA. In two patients the major part of the seminal agglutinins was IgA, and in one IgG, indicating that both local production and diffusion of sperm agglutinins from serum to the testis-epididymis compartment may take place. The total levels of immunoglobulins in seminal fluid generally increased after the operation, and IgM was present in two postvasovasostomy samples. This suggests a pathotopic potentiation effect of the vasectomy on the epithelial lining of the testis-epididymis compartment. Comparison of the results of solid-phase absorption with anti-IgA and anti-secretory component (SC) pointed to the presence of "free" SC in postvasovasostomy seminal fluid.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1981

Association between failure to impregnate after vasovasostomy and sperm agglutinins in semen.

Sperm agglutinins emerging from the reopened part of the vas deferens were found in the seminal fluid of 10 out of 29 men after vasovasostomy. There was a strong association between the presence of these antibodies and the failure to impregnate over a period of 14 to 33 months. Of 20 couples, 11 pregnancies resulted among the 13 women whose men had no sperm agglutinins in the seminal fluid, but only 1 among the 7 whose men had such antibodies, 2p = 0.0044. The presence of sperm agglutinins in the seminal fluid was always associated with their presence in the serum, usually in a higher titre. Preoperative serum levels thus are highly predictive of ability to impregnate after reversal of vasectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Antibodies to Escherichia coli and serum immunoglobulin levels in epileptics on long-term anticonvulsant therapy.

Antibodies to 11 different Escherichia coli (E. coli) serotypes were determined by indirect haemagglutination in 53 epileptics treated with diphenylhydantoin (DPH) and in 53 matched controls. Agglutinins were found more often and at higher titres in epileptics (83 . 4%) than in controls (51 . 7%) (P less than 0 . 05). No correlation between the occurrence of E. coli agglutinins and the serum concentration or clearance of DPH, or abnormal biochemical liver tests could be established. E. coli antibodies were predominantly of the IgM classes, and the percentage of positive reactions was slightly, but not significantly, higher in epileptics with elevated serum IgM (88 . 2%) than in those with normal IgM (83 . 1%) (0 . 20 greater than P greater than 0 . 10). The increased incidence of E. coli agglutinins could not be explained by a low serum IgA concentration which may suggest an impaired secretory immune function. The incidences of positive reactions in epileptics with subnormal (less than 37 mg/100 ml), normal (37-285 mg/100 ml) and elevated (greater than 285 mg/100 ml) serum IgA values were 73 . 7, 84 . 7 and 93 . 7% respectively (0 . 01 greater than P greater than 0 . 001). It is suggested that DPH can both suppress and stimulate the humoral immune response in humans, and that genetic or acquired factors may be of importance for the development of modified immune responses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Analysis of auto-antigens in the human sperm membrane by a F(ab')2 blocking system.

F(ab')2 preparations from human sperm-agglutinating and -immobilizing sera react with the sperm-membrane antigens without exerting immobilizing activity. Therefore, human spermatozoa, treated with such F(ab')2 fragments--and consequently with certain antigens blocked by the fragments--could be used in immobilization experiments with sperm-immobilizing sera. If a serum revealed a significantly reduced immobilizing activity on such F(ab')2-covered spermatozoa, compared with the effect on spermatozoa treated with F(ab')2 fragments from normal human serum, this was taken as evidence that the F(ab')2 fragments and the serum antibodies were directed against the same antigen or closely associated antigenic determinants. By cross-testing a panel of sera against the corresponding F(ab')2 preparations two main patterns of reactivity were observed indicating that at least two different auto- and iso-antigens (antigenic determinants) can be involved in sperm immobilization. Rather unexpectedly the reactivities in the F(ab')2-blocking system were not related to the different modes of agglutination observed with the sera (head-to-head, tail-to-tail or mixed agglutination).

Antigens↗
PubMed1981

Identification of auto-antigens of the human sperm membrane.

Glycoproteins of human sperm membranes were labelled by a galactose oxidase-tritiated-sodium borohydride technique and detergent solubilized. A glycoprotein-enriched-fraction was obtained by lectin affinity chromatography. Subsequently, antigens in this fraction were isolated from the glycoprotein mixture by indirect immunoprecipitation and analysed in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With some human sera with sperm agglutinating and immobilizing auto-antibodies at least three polypeptide chains were isolated, one with a molecular weight of about 41,000 and two with molecular weights of about 77,000. Other sera with equally strong agglutination and immobilization did not reveal any peaks in SDS-gel electrophoresis. Absorption studies using sequential indirect immunoprecipitation showed that the former group of sera independently of their mode of agglutination reacted with the same antigen(s).

Antigens↗
PubMed1980

Evaluation of immunofluorescence on pig zone pellucida for detection of anti-zone antibodies in human sera.

Using immunofluorescence tests, antibodies reacting with pig zone pellucida could be detected in 31% of 103 sera from patients in different clinically defined categories, mainly fertile males and females and patients from couples with unexplained infertility. The antibodies could in all cases be absorbed by means of pig erythrocytes - in most sera with all erythrocyte suspensions tested, but in some cases only with erythrocytes from certain animals - indicating that antibodies both to generally occurring pig antigens and alloantigens may be present in human sera. Staining of pig zonae was recorded equally frequently with unabsorbed sera from infertile and fertile males and females, respectively, but titres of 1:16 or more occurred more frequently among infertile than among fertile female (P = 0.053).

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1980

A simple method for the production of F(ab')2 preparations by pepsin digestion of total serum protein.

An easy and rapid method for producing F(ab')2 fragments by pepsin treatment of total serum protein is described. No further purification of the hydrolysate was used. Most serum proteins were degraded to small peptides which were removed by dialysis, the preparations thus being relatively rich in F(ab')2 fragments. The degree of hydrolysis was determined by means of an antiserum against the part of the gamma-chain which is degraded by pepsin. Under optimal conditions for hydrolysis, unsplit IgG could not be detected by double immunodiffusion. Using sperm-agglutinating and immobilizing sera, the F(ab')2 preparations could be characterized functionally. After hydrolysis the agglutinating activity was relatively unchanged, whereas the immobilizing activity had vanished.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1979

Spermagglutinating antibodies and beta-spermagglutinins in sera from infertile and fertile women.

Sera from five groups of women were investigated by the tray agglutination technique for the presence of spermagglutinins: (1) 326 women from infertile couples, (2) 51 women in early pregnancy, (3) 65 women in advanced pregnancy, (4) 41 oral contraceptive users, and (5) 109 presumably fertile, nonpregnant women. By absorbing spermagglutinating sera with a cell-free eluate from spermatozoa, agglutination disappeared when due to a high-molecular weight compound with beta-mobility in preparative zone electrophoresis (denoted beta-spermagglutinin), whereas activity due to sperm antibodies was unchanged. Spermagglutinating sera occurred with comparable frequency among women from infertile couples, women in advanced pregnancy, and oral contraceptive users. The absorption study revealed agglutinating antibodies in a significantly higher frequency and in higher titers among women of infertile couples than among fertile women, in whom beta-spermagglutinins were found almost exclusively. These results demonstrate the importance of discriminating between sperm antibodies and beta-spermagglutinins in studies of sperm antibodies as a cause of infertility in women.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1979

The penetration of antibody-covered spermatozoa into cervical mucus and egg white.

Autoantibodies to sperm membrane antigens may cause infertility in men. The antibodies can often be revealed in seminal plasma and the antifertility effect seems mainly to be due to hampered penetration into cervical mucus of antibody-covered spermatozoa. Recently, egg white has been used instead of cervical mucus in penetration tests. We have, therefore, compared the concentration of sperm autoantibodies in serum and seminal plasma to the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate into cervical mucus and egg white, respectively. With sperm from ten normospermic men with antibodies to sperm there was a correlation between the maximal penetration in the two different media and the cases with poor penetration were equally well revealed in cervical mucus and egg white. Penetration experiments with normal spermatozoa, treated with selected antibody-containing sera confirmed that the penetration-inhibiting effect of autoantibodies is revealed in egg white. Thus, the use of egg white in penetration tests can be of value in evaluation of cases with immunological infertility.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1978

Reactivity of F(ab)2 fragments of sperm antibodies in agglutination, immobilization and immunofluorescence tests.

The reactivity of F(ab)2 fragments of sperm antibodies was studied in agglutination, immobilization and immunofluorescence tests. Pepsin digestion of full serum was an easy and effective procedure for preparing F(ab)2 fragments. Compared to the reactions with serum, F(ab)2 preparations revealed only a moderate decrease in agglutination titres but a complete loss of immobilizing activity. In immunofluorescence tests, nonspecific background staining was strongly reduced by using F(ab)2 fragments, thereby offering a more reliable basis for the reading of reactions. Even though the titres obtained with serum and F(ab)2 preparations did not differ essentially, it is suggested that the use of F(ab)2 fragments in IF-tests on spermatozoa may help to provide a higher degree of reproducibility.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1977

Antibodies against E. coli O-antigens and common enterobacterial antigen in kidney-transplant recipients. Comparison of antibody findings with evidence of urinary tract infection.

Using indirect haemagglutination, sera from 45 patients who had undergone renal transplantation were examined for 0-antibodies against 10 selected uropathogenic E. coli strains, and against common enterobacterial antigen (anti-CA). Bilateral nephrectomy was carried out, usually less than three months after transplantation, and serum from the time of nephrectomy was examined. The aim was to correlate antibody findings with evidence of urinary tract infection (UTI), as assessed by significant bacteriuria or growth of bacteria from the nephrectomy specimens. All the sera contained antibodies against several of the E. coli strains, mostly in titres less than or equal to 160, but titres up to 5120 occurred. No statistically significant correlation was found between the occurrence of high titres of type-specific 0-antibodies to E. coli and evidence of E. coli UTI. In contrast, anti-CA-present in the sera of 19 patients, mostly in titres of 10-40-occured with significantly increased frequency in patients with E. coliuria before transplantation and in patients with growth of E. coli from the nephrectomy specimens. It is concluded that anti-CA-even in low titres-appeared to give a better serological parameter of E. coli UTI than screening for antibodies against the selected uropathogenic E. coli strains.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Lack of association of the development of anti-sperm antibodies and other autoantibodies as a consequence of vasectomy.

The possibility of autoantibodies--other than sperm antibodies--developing as a consequence of vasectomy has been investigated in 255 volunteers. During the first year after vasectomy no obvious increase was observed in the occurrence of any of these antibodies (rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies and antibodies against smooth muscle, mitochondria, gastric parietal cell, thyroid microsomes and thyroglobulin). Ninety-nine of the patients were also examined for agglutinating and immunofluorescent antibodies to sperm to see if there was any relationship between the occurrence of anti-sperm antibodies and other autoantibodies. However, the prevalence of non-sperm autoantibodies did not differ in two nearly equal groups of patients with and without indications of autoimmune reactions to spermatozoa, respectively. Consequently the present results lend no support to the hypothesis that vasectomy could induce autoimmunity to other autoantigens than sperm-specific antigens.

Agglutinins↗