Title: Development of new immunocontraceptives -- industrial perspective.

POPLINE Document Number: 120204

Author(s):

Habenicht UF
Stock G

Source citation:

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, 1996 Jun;35(6):517-22.

Abstract:

Immunocontraception represents a promising new frontier for fertility control research and development. Advantages of such an approach include reversibility, lack of effect on the menstrual cycle, and the need for only one or two injections per year. The zona pellucida, a noncellular surrounding of all mammalian eggs, is a potentially feasible target for immunological interference with the fertilization process; however, animal trials have resulted in irreversible oophoritis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) vaccine has the advantage of attacking a target that is present only during pregnancy, but raises political issues related to abortion. An anti-sperm contraceptive vaccine is another possibility, although sperm antigens that result in a B-cell- rather than T-cell-mediated immune response have not been identified. Anti-trophoblast vaccine represents an alternate strategy, but the problem of mucosal immunity remains an obstacle. If an immunological contraceptive is developed, careful risk-benefit analyses must be performed.

Keywords:

Contraception Research
Contraceptive Vaccines
Contraception, Immunological
Immunologic Factors
Contraception
Family Planning
Immunity
Immune System
Physiology
Biology