INCIDENCE OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN FLUIDS OF THE RABBIT GENITAL TRACTS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF Ig-G-GLOBULIN IN THE TISSUES OF THE FEMALE TRACT

Abstract

Summary. The incidence of immunoglobulins in the fluids and tissues of rabbit genital tracts has been assessed by immuno-electrophoresis and immunofluorescence. Seminal plasma contained a variable quantity of IgG-globulin, ranging from undetectable amounts to concentrations comparable to that of blood serum, the incidence of which was random in serial ejaculates. IgG-globulin was present in follicular, uterine and vaginal fluids, IgA-globulin also occurring in some vaginal samples. A proportion of spermatozoa recovered from the female tract 7 hr post coitum had reacted with IgG of female origin. The epithelium of the female tract at all levels prevented the diffusion of IgG from the relatively high levels in tissue fluid to the low levels in luminal fluid. IgG was found to be localized intercellularly in the epithelium, particularly in the vagina and the glandular epithelium of the pregnant uterus. It is inferred that IgG transfer into luminal fluids is by an intercellular route.