Vaccination with a synthetic zona pellucida peptide produces long-term contraception in female mice
Article Abstract:
There has been interest in a vaccine for population control. The ideal vaccine should be long-lasting and reversible, and should inhibit fertilization instead being an abortifacient, disrupting early development. The vaccine must elicit an immunological response which would inhibit contraception but not elicit a response that would cause abnormal reproductive function or damage to women. The zona pellucida is a coating which surrounds oocytes or unfertilized eggs. The zona pellucida is composed of three glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3. Sperm bind to ZP3, so they can penetrate the egg for fertilization. A monoclonal antibody that is specific for ZP3 inhibits fertilization by inhibiting sperm penetration in mice. However, the antibody does not react with the zona pellucida in other mammalian species, so the antibodies are limited in their usefulness as contraceptive agents. The glycoprotein ZP3 can be used as a vaccine for contraception control. The gene that codes for ZP3 has been isolated. The portion of the ZP3 protein that binds to the antibody and is involved in the binding of sperm has been identified and used to immunize mice. Seventy-five percent of the animals that were immunized remained infertile for 16-36 weeks. After examining the ovarian tissues, no diseased or damaged tissue was seen. Although the ZP3 peptide is only immunogenic in mice and not in other species tested, such as hamster, guinea pig, cat or dog, the gene coding for ZP3 is similar in many species, including humans. Once the gene for ZP3 is isolated in other species, peptides can be isolated that are immunogenic and inhibit binding of sperm. It is possible that peptides to ZP3 can be used as a contraceptive in other species, including humans.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1989
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The new paths to preventing ulcers
Article Abstract:
Research has identified the Helicobacter pylori bacteria as the major cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers and a risk factor for stomach cancer. Scientists now have a mouse model for H pylori infection that will increase opportunities to study the infection.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1995
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Self-fertilization, linkage disequilibrium, and strain in Plasmodium falciparum
Article Abstract:
Because self-fertilization was unable to maintain multi-locus association among the loci MSP-2, MSP-1 and GLURP, it is highly unlikely that self-fertilization would aid the stabilization of any multi-locus association.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1996
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