Fertilization and embryo implantation are considered as potential targets for immunocontraception in terms of their feasibility, desirability and current status.
Keywords: contraception; sperm; egg; embryo; human chorionic gonadotrophin
Fertility: Immunological Control
R John Aitken, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
Published online: April 2001
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0000515
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Figure 1. Fertilization involves a coordinated cascade of biological steps, including two recognition events that could be the target of a contraceptive vaccine: (1) the binding of spermatozoa to the surface of the zona pellucida; and (2) the binding of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa to the vitelline membrane of the oocyte.
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Figure 2. Active immunization of the marmoset monkey with purified recombinant human ZP3. (a) Anti-ZP3 antibody titre; (b) plasma progesterone levels. Note the sudden failure of ovarian function after 12 months immunity against ZP3.
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Figure 3. Implantation as a target for contraceptive vaccine development. The induction of immunity against human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) should prevent the maternal recognition of pregnancy by interfering with the embryo's ability to rescue the corpus luteum (CL) and prevent menstruation.
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| References | |
| Aitken RJ, Paterson M and Van Duin M (1996) The potential of the zona pellucida as a target for immunocontraception. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 35: 175–180. | |
| Baskin MJ (1932) Temporary sterilization by the injection of human spermatozoa. A preliminary report. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 24: 892–897. | |
| Diekman AB, Norton EJ, Westbrook VA et al. (2000) Anti-sperm antibodies from infertile patients and their cognate sperm antigens: a review. Identity between SAGA-1, the H6-3C4 antigen, and CD52. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 43: 134–143. | |
| Holland MK, Andrews J, Clarke H, Walton C and Hinds LA (1997) Selection of antigens for use in a virus-vectored immunocontraceptive vaccine: PH-20 as a case study. Reproduction Fertility and Development 9: 117–124. | |
| Millar SE, Chamow SM, Baur AW et al. (1989) Vaccination with a synthetic zona pellucida peptide produces long-term contraception in female mice. Science 246: 935–938. | |
| Primakoff P, Lathrop W, Woolman L, Cowan A and Myles D (1988) Fully effective contraception in male and female guinea pigs immunized with the sperm protein PH-20. Nature 335: 543–546. | |
| Ramarao CS, Myles DG, White JM and Primakoff P (1996) Initial evaluation of fertilin as immunocontraceptive antigen and molecular cloning of the cynomologous monkey fertilin subunit. Molecular Reproduction and Development 43: 70–75. | |
| Rhim SH, Miller SE, Robey F et al. (1992) Autoimmunity disease of the ovary induced by a ZP3 peptide from the mouse zona pellucida. Journal of Clinical Investigation 89: 28–35. | |
| Saling PM and Waibel R (1985) Mouse sperm antigens that participate in fertilisation III. Passive immunisation with a single monoclonal antibody inhibits pregnancy and fertilisation. Biology of Reproduction 33: 537–544. | |
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| Further Reading | |
| Aitken RJ (1997) Molecular mechanisms regulating human sperm function. Molecular Human Reproduction 3: 169–173. | |
| Barber MR, Fayrer-Hosken RA (2000) Possible mechanisms of mammalian immunocontraception. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 46(2): 103–124. | |
| Feng H, Sandlow JI, Sparks AE and Sandra A (1999) Development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine. Current status. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 44(9): 759–765. | |
| Gupta SK, Jethanandani P, Afzalpurkar A, Kaul R, Santhanam R (1997) Prospects of zona pellucida glycoproteins as immunogens for contraceptive vaccine. Human Reproduction Update 3(4): 311–324. | |
| Kerr L, Paterson M and Aitken RJ (1999) Molecular basis of sperm–egg interaction and the prospects for immunocontraception. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 40: 103–118. | |
| Saxty B and Aitken RJ (1997) Sperm surface antigens and the prospects for contraceptive vaccine development. Reproductive Medicine Review 6: 81–95. | |
