Molecular similarities between spermatozoa and bacteria: A fluorescent microscopy study

The origin of natural anti-sperm antibodies in the serum of human virgin pre-pubertal girls and boys has been linked to the existence of inflammatory gastrointestinal entities; as a result of disease, cross reactive antibodies produced against gastrointestinal flora binds spermatozoa. Also, nonspecific bacterial vaccination (bacterial cell lysates), which are widely used to stop chronic childhood respiratory tract infections, may result in persistent infertility in some individuals, suggesting some form of molecular similarities between bacteria and sperm. These observations suggest that common antigenic determinants are shared by infectious organisms and reproductive system components.