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Response of cynomolgus macaques to immunization against a synthetic peptide from the human zona pellucida
Author(s) -
MahiBrown Cherrie A.,
Moran Francisco
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.1995.tb00180.x
Subject(s) - zona pellucida , immunization , virology , peptide , biology , zona , immunology , medicine , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , virus , biochemistry , oocyte , viral disease
This study tested immunogenicity of a synthetic peptide hZP3 327–341 from a human zona pellucida (ZP) glycoprotein. After antibody response to various peptide‐carrier conjugates was assessed in mice, two female cynomolgus macaques were immunized with the peptide conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). A control macaque was immunized with KLH. The peptide was immunogenic in both species, and included both B and T cell epitopes since low to moderate titers of peptide‐specific antibodies and a T cell proliferative response were measured. Profiles of ovarian steroid metabolites indicated unchanged ovarian function in the macaques, but only the control conceived when bred. Ovarian histology was normal except that immunoglobulin was bound to ZP in follicles of the peptide‐immune macaques. ZP from these females bound sperm and induced acrosome reactions at rates equal to those of an untreated control. The results support the feasibility of an immunocontraceptive vaccine based on autologous ZP peptides.