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DNA Immunization Against Proacrosin Impairs Fertility in Male Mice
Author(s) -
García Lucila,
Veiga María F.,
Lustig Livia,
VazquezLevin Mónica H.,
Veaute Carolina
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01127.x
Subject(s) - biology , sperm , andrology , immune system , zona pellucida , acrosin , litter , antibody , acrosome , immunology , endocrinology , immunization , human fertilization , acrosome reaction , active immunization , medicine , genetics , oocyte , embryo , agronomy
Problem Evaluation of proacrosin/acrosin ability to induce an immune response in male mice after genetic immunization and assessment of animal fertility. Method of study Mice received 50 μg per animal of a plasmid containing the human proacrosin cDNA ( pSF 2‐ A cro) (control: empty plasmid, pSF 2). The humoral response was evaluated by ELISA and immunocytochemistry. In vivo fertility was assessed by mating immunized males with control females. The effect of antibodies upon Ca +2 ‐ionophore‐induced acrosomal exocytosis (AE) and in vitro sperm– zona pellucida (ZP) binding was also studied. Results pSF 2‐ A cro‐immunized mice developed high levels of specific antibodies ( P < 0.05) that recognized the sperm acrosomal cap. The number of fertile mice was lower ( P = 0.027) in pSF 2‐ A cro‐immunized animals than in controls. Litter size was smaller ( P < 0.05) in the pSF 2‐ A cro group compared with controls. A negative correlation ( P < 0.05) between antibody levels and litter size was found. Antiproacrosin/acrosin antibodies inhibited sperm–ZP binding ( P < 0.0001) and Ca +2 ‐ionophore‐induced AE ( P < 0.05). Conclusion DNA immunization against proacrosin elicits an immune response in male mice associated with abnormal sperm functions and reduced fertility.