Title: Evaluation of zona pellucida antigens as potential candidates for immunocontraception.

POPLINE Document Number: 120507

Author(s):

Paterson M
Wilson MR
van Duin M
Aitken RJ

Source citation:

Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 1996;50:175-82.

Abstract:

Antibodies directed against the zona pellucida (ZP) have been demonstrated to interrupt sperm-egg recognition in vitro, yet the mechanisms by which anti-zona antibodies exert this contraceptive effect in vivo are unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that active immunity against zona antigens both induces infertility through an antibody-mediated interruption of sperm-egg interaction and disrupts normal ovarian function. This study used the marmoset monkey to assess the consequences of inducing active immunity against purified recombinant human ZP3 and human ZP3 peptides. Although recombinant human ZP3 induced infertility in these animals, it was associated with suppression of folliculogenesis and depletion of the primordial follicle pool. Immunization with continuous human ZP3 peptides, identified by epitope mapping studies, did not induce ovarian dysfunction, but the antibody titers were insufficient to suppress fertility significantly and consistently. Future homologous active immunization trials will depend on generation of epitope maps of the marmoset ZP3 sequence.

Keywords:

Research Report
Contraception Research
Animals, Laboratory
Contraceptive Vaccines
Antigens
Antibodies
Ovarian Effects
Contraception
Family Planning
Clinical Research
Research Methodology
Contraception, Immunological
Immunologic Factors
Immunity
Immune System
Physiology
Biology
Ovary
Genitalia, Female
Genitalia
Urogenital System