IDENTIFICATION AND POSSIBLE BIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE OF SPERMATOZOAL TRANSGLUTAMINASE

Normal human spermatozoa were demonstrated by dot immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry to possess transglutaminase (TGase). The immunological identification of spermatozoal TGase is consistent with reports by others of its biochemical identification and suggested role in sperm motility, and provides, in view of the immunoregulatory properties of seminal plasma TGase, preseumptive identification of a means whereby spermatozoa, under normal physiological conditions, may possibly be protected from immunological 'attack' within the female reproductive tract.