Immunocontraception with zona pellucida proteins.

摘要: The prospect of an immunological approach to contraception that would disrupt the process fertilisation itself has resulted in a considerable interest into research this area. It been known for some time antibodies raised against zona pellucida (ZP) can suppress fertility very effectively. However, initial optimism marred by appearance ovarian pathology characterised disruption folliculogenesis and depletion primordial follicle pool. Adverse auto-immune reactions have observed ovaries mice after induction immunity with mouse ZP3 epitopes. was associated lymphocytic infiltration stroma, which could be circumvented careful selection B-cell epitopes induce reversible infertility. In order identify similar on primate ZP3, epitope-mapping studies were performed incorporated chimeric vaccines included promiscuous T-helper cell epitope. Both single triple peptide evaluated vivo no detrimental effects function observed. resulting high titre bound exclusively ZP marmoset human sections vitro sperm-egg binding approximately 60%, but did not prevent pregnancy actively immunised female marmosets. Thus, is still required combination will infertility free any unwanted side effects.