Immunological aspects of mammalian reproduction
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Bibliographic Information
Immunological aspects of mammalian reproduction
Blackie, 1982
- pbk
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Note
Bibliography: p169-185. - Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Until quite recently, the field of reproductive immunology was very much a neglected area of biology, seen by most reproductive physiologists as of only peripheral importance. It was generally acknowledged as curious that a female mammal tolerated the intrusion of alien sperm and the persisting presence of an alien fetus, while reserving the prerogative of rejecting grafts of tissue, even when these were from her own mate. Several theories were advanced to explain this paradox, each with some supporting evidence: all were eventually shown to be inadequate. And there the matter was, on the whole, permitted to rest. In the last few years, the situation has changed dramatically, and the neglected area of overlap between immunology and reproduction has again become densely populated by research workers. As a symptom of this resurgence of interest, a specialist journal (the Journal of Reproductive Immunology) has been launched to supply what had rapidly been perceived as a need.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.- 2 The Immune System.- 2.1 Humoral immunity.- 2.2 Antibody structure and synthesis.- 2.3 Cell-mediated immunity.- 2.4 Histocompatibility antigens.- 2.5 Immune tolerance.- 2.6 Immunological techniques.- 3 Immunology and Reproduction in Male Mammals.- 3.1 Structure of the male reproductive system.- 3.2 Are sperm antigenic?.- 3.3 Antigenicity of the seminal plasma.- 3.4 Autoimmunity in the male.- 3.5 Spontaneous autoimmune reactions and infertility.- 4 Reproduction and Immunity in the Female.- 4.1 Reproduction in female mammals.- 4.2 Immune response in the female genital tract.- 4.3 Spermatozoa and semen within the female genital tract.- 4.4 Immunology and infertility in women.- 5 Immunological Implications of Pregnancy.- 5.1 Relations between mother and fetus.- 5.2 How might the fetus survive?.- 5.3 Immune response of the oviduct and uterus to embryos.- 5.4 Depression of the mother's immune response.- 5.5 Is the fetus antigenic?.- 5.6 Is there a barrier between mother and fetus?.- 6 The Nature of the Mother's Response.- 6.1 Humoral antibody responses to the fetus.- 6.2 Cell-mediated responses to the fetus.- 6.3 Interactions between cellular and humoral immunity.- 6.4 Suppressor cells.- 6.5 Further interactions between mother and fetus: the importance of being different.- 6.6 The role of the placenta.- 6.7 Harmful immune reactions against the fetus.- 7 Passive Transfer of Immunity.- 7.1 Routes of transfer.- 7.2 Prenatal transmission of immunity.- 7.3 Passive transfer of immunity after birth.- 8 Immunological Contraception.- 8.1 Strategies.- 8.2 Immunization against gamete-specific antigens.- 8.3 Immunization against reproductive hormones.
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