AUTOIMMUNE ORCHITIS INDUCED BY AUTOIMMUNIZATION WITH SEMINAL PLASMA IN THE RABBIT

Abstract

Summary. Intensive autoimmunization of rabbits with native or chemically modified seminal plasma incorporated with complete Freund's adjuvant induces autoantibodies against the homologous material as well as against testicular antigens. Testicular lesions were observed in most animals. When accessory gland extract was used as the immunizing material, repeated injections failed to induce antitesticular antibodies or to cause testicular damage. Semen analysis during treatment showed the presence of immature cells from the seminiferous epithelium. The experimentally induced condition developed in this work satisfies the definition of allergic orchitis.