Immune gene mismatches between partners may boost sperm survival
Researchers at the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service and University of Eastern Finland exposed sperm from several men to follicular fluid or cervical mucus from several women, testing whether immune gene compatibility affects how gametes function. Sperm viability in follicular fluid rose when partners' HLA eplets were structurally dissimilar. In cervical mucus, viability rose instead with immunoglobulin structural dissimilarity. Both HLA and immunoglobulin differences, the researchers say, may play a role in how the female reproductive tract selects for immunologically compatible partners.
The experiments used donated sperm and reproductive fluids in a lab setting, so whether this link holds up in natural conception or fertility in people is still unconfirmed.
Written by the Genomes desk from the primary source cited and linked above and checked against it. Research use only; not medical advice. Corrections: [email protected].