Abstract
Summary
Isoimmunization of rabbits with semen, testis, and conceptus resulted in lowered embryo and fetal survival rates compared with immunization with seminal plasma and physiological saline. In situ recovery of ova from one oviduct of rabbits after insemination revealed a depression of fertilization rates in rabbits immunized with semen and testis and normal rates in rabbits immunized with conceptus, seminal plasma, and saline. Embryo survival rate adjusted for fertilization rate and the fetal survival rate were lowest in the testis group, intermediate in the semen and conceptus groups, and normal in the seminal plasma and saline groups. There was an increase in fertility of the 3 low-fertility groups from first to second breeding. Embryo survival rates of transferred ova were similar to those described above for the immunized groups. Fetal survival, however, was decreased only in rabbits immunized with testis. Isoimmunization with washed epididymal sperm induced antibodies and infertility in rabbits. In general, there was negative association between fertility and the serum titer of sperm agglutinins in rabbits immunized with semen and testis.
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