• Question: Why are antibodies not produced against sperms by the female\\\'s immune system?

    Asked by reallunamunoztheotherisfake to David, Luna, Probash on 24 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Probash Chowdhury

      Probash Chowdhury answered on 24 Mar 2011:

      Good question! The female’s vagina is actually quite a hostile environment for the sperm so the seminal fluid that accompanies the sperm acts as a neutraliser to help the sperm survive. This is only temporary so they have to swim hard and fast. The vagina and uterus (as I’m sure you know) are hollow structures – similar in that sense to the gut. Like the gut, the walls contain antibodies and white blood cells which will attack any sperm that comes into contact with the walls. Some white cells and antibodies manage to get out into the cavity of the vagina and uterus, but most stay in the walls. This is partly why so many sperm cells are used to try to fertilise one egg – there will be many sperm casualties along the way.

    • Photo: David Pyle

      David Pyle answered on 24 Mar 2011:

      I’m afraid that I don’t know!

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