Contraception in mares heteroimmunized with pig zonae pellucidae.
Abstract: Ten fertile feral mares and 6 domestic horses (4 fertile mares, 1 infertile mare, 1 gelding) were immunized with heat-solubilized pig zonae pellucidae by 4 injections equivalent to 2000 or 5000 zonae each at 2-4-week intervals and a booster injection of 20,000 zonae 6-10 months after the last of the initial inoculations. The immune response was reflected by high antibody levels as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using immobilized pig zona antigen. In-vivo inhibition of fertility occurred in 12 (86%) of the 14 fertile mares studied and persisted for a minimum of 7 months. Repeated mating of the fertile domestic mares resulted in conception when anti-pig zona antibody concentrations had decreased from initial peak absorbance ratios (greater than 1.0) to relatively lower levels (0.64 or less with one exception). An indirect immunofluorescence assay, revealed a considerably lower cross-reactive antibody titre with horse oocytes as compared to pig oocytes. Clinical, endocrinological and histological analyses of the ovaries and their function following regained fertility after immunization revealed no abnormalities. One mare remained infertile.
Publication Date: 1989-01-01 PubMed ID: 2915353DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0850019Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper investigated the effects of injecting mares with pig zonae pellucidae, a component of the pig egg cell, to inhibit fertility. The study found that the majority of mares became temporarily infertile, but returned to normal fertility after several months.
Research Methodology
- The researchers chose ten fertile feral mares and six domestic horses which included four fertile mares, one infertile mare, and one gelding for the experiment.
- These horses were immunized with pig zonae pellucidae – an outer membrane of pig eggs. This was achieved by giving four injections, each equivalent to 2000 or 5000 zonae at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks.
- They also gave a booster injection of 20,000 zonae after 6 to 10 months from the last initial inoculations.
Measurement and Results
- The team measured the immune response by detecting high antibody levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with immobilized pig zona antigen.
- They found that in-vivo fertility was inhibited in 12 (about 86 percent) of the 14 fertile mares. This fertility inhibition persisted for a minimum of seven months.
- In the case of fertile domestic mares who underwent repeated mating, the team noticed conception when the anti-pig zona antibody concentrations decreased from the initial peak absorbance to lower levels.
- An indirect immunofluorescence assay showed a significantly lower cross-reactive antibody titre with horse oocytes when compared to pig oocytes.
Post Immunity Fertility Regain Analysis
- The researchers ran clinical, endocrinological, and histological analyses of the ovaries and their function once the fertility was regained post-immunization. They found there were no abnormalities.
- Out of all the horses, only one mare remained infertile.
Implications of the Research Findings
- This research suggests that injecting mares with pig zonae pellucidae can result in effective, temporary contraception which could potentially be used as a wildlife or domestic animal management strategy.
- The fact that the fertility was regained in most horses, and no abnormalities were found in endocrinological and histological analyses indicates the treatment might be considered as safe.
Cite This Article
APA
Liu IK, Bernoco M, Feldman M.
(1989).
Contraception in mares heteroimmunized with pig zonae pellucidae.
J Reprod Fertil, 85(1), 19-29.
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0850019 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Heterophile / analysis
- Contraception / methods
- Contraception, Immunologic / methods
- Female
- Fertilization
- Horses
- Male
- Ovary / pathology
- Ovum / immunology
- Progesterone / blood
- Sperm-Ovum Interactions
- Swine
- Zona Pellucida / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- French H, Segabinazzi L, Middlebrooks B, Peterson E, Schulman M, Roth R, Crampton M, Conan A, Marchi S, Gilbert T, Knobel D, Bertschinger H. Efficacy and Safety of Native and Recombinant Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive Vaccines Formulated with Non-Freund's Adjuvants in Donkeys.. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;10(12).
- Aurich C, Kaps M. Suppression of reproductive behaviour and gonadal function in female horses-An update.. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Sep;57 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):4-12.
- Peterson EW, Segabinazzi LGTM, Gilbert RO, Bergfelt DR, French HM. Evaluation of Stress Accompanying Immunocontraceptive Vaccination in Donkeys.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 13;12(4).
- Chorfa A, Goubely C, Henry-Berger J, Guiton R, Drevet JR, Saez F. Identification of Arvicola terrestris scherman Sperm Antigens for Immune Contraceptive Purposes.. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Sep 15;22(18).
- Wu X, Yang Y, Kling C, Seigler L, Gallardo-Romero NF, Martin BE, Smith TG, Olson VA. Inactivated Rabies Virus-Vectored Immunocontraceptive Vaccine in a Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel Induces High and Persistent Antibodies against Rabies, but Insufficient Antibodies against Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone for Contraception.. Vaccines (Basel) 2019 Jul 25;7(3).
- Oliviero C, Lindh L, Peltoniemi O. BOARD INVITED REVIEW: Immunocontraception as a possible tool to reduce feral pig populations: recent and future perspectives.. J Anim Sci 2019 May 30;97(6):2283-2290.
- Kuninaga N, Asano M, Matsuyama R, Minemoto T, Mori T, Suzuki M. Serological and histological evaluation of species-specific immunocontraceptive vaccine antigens based on zona pellucida 3 in the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus).. J Vet Med Sci 2019 Feb 28;81(2):328-337.
- Duncan CL, King JL, Stapp P. Effects of prolonged immunocontraception on the breeding behavior of American bison.. J Mammal 2017 Oct 3;98(5):1272-1287.
- Ransom JI, Hobbs NT, Bruemmer J. Contraception can lead to trophic asynchrony between birth pulse and resources.. PLoS One 2013;8(1):e54972.
- Nuñez CM, Adelman JS, Rubenstein DI. Immunocontraception in wild horses (Equus caballus) extends reproductive cycling beyond the normal breeding season.. PLoS One 2010 Oct 26;5(10):e13635.
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