Stimulation of lymphocytes by spermatozoa-stimulated cells.

The mechanism of spermatozoa-lymphocyte interaction was studied using spermatozoa and lymphocytes obtained from 11 healthy individuals and from 2 patients with spermatocoele. The lymphocytes activated by spermatozoa in 3-day cultures were used as inducers of fresh, unstimulated autologous or allogeneic lymphocytes. In 9 cases of 13 tested sperm samples, a slight proliferative response of lymphocytes stimulated by spermatozoa-induced lymphocytes was observed. The final effect did not depend on whether an autologous or an allogeneic system was used in the first and the second incubation. A possible explanation of the observed reaction is discussed.