Serum antibody immunoreactivity to equine zona protein after SpayVac vaccination.
Abstract: Immunocontraception with porcine ZP (pZP) can be an effective means of fertility control in feral horses. Previous studies suggest that antibodies produced after pZP vaccination may both inhibit fertilization and cause follicular dysgenesis. Zonastat-H, PZP-22, and SpayVac are three pZP vaccines proposed for use in horses. Although all these vaccines contain the pZP antigen, variations in antigen preparation and vaccine formulation lead to differences in antigenic properties among them. Likewise, despite numerous efficacy and safety studies of Zonastat-H and PZP-22, the contraceptive mechanisms of SpayVac remain unclear. The preparation of pZP for SpayVac is thought to include more nonzona proteins, making it less pure than the other two vaccines. This may result in increased antigenicity of the vaccine. We therefore investigated the immunoreactivity of serum antibodies from SpayVac-vaccinated mares to equine zona protein. Western blot analyses revealed an immunoreactivity of these antibodies to protein isolated from mature equine oocytes, ZP, follicular tissues, and ovarian tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses were used to locate the binding of serum antibodies to the ZP of immature oocytes in ovarian stromal tissue. We also found serum antibodies from SpayVac-treated mares to be predominantly specific for zona protein 3. Collectively, our results suggest a model where serum antibodies produced in response to SpayVac vaccination are immunoreactive to equine zona protein in vitro. Our study lends insight into the contraceptive mechanisms underlying the infertility observed after SpayVac vaccination.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-03-24 PubMed ID: 25922172DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research focuses on the fertility control in horses using a vaccination called SpayVac. The study investigates how this vaccine works and its effects on the reproductive system of horses, with high interests on an element known as the equine zona protein.
Introduction to the Research
- The study is in the field of immunocontraception, specifically focusing on fertility control in horses.
- The researchers examine vaccination of horses using SpayVac, a vaccine composed of the porcine Zona Pellucida (pZP) antigen and analyze its effects on the equine zona protein.
Immunoreactivity to Equine Zona Protein
- Immunoreactivity refers to the ability of an antigen to react with an antibody. In this case, the antigen in question is found in the SpayVac vaccine and the response of the equine (horse) body’s zona proteins to it is being investigated.
- Equine zona protein is an essential substance involved in the reproductive biology of horses, particularly in the process of fertilization.
Efficiency and Safety of Different Vaccines
- The study compares SpayVac with other pZP vaccines (Zonastat-H, PZP-22) that are proposed for use in horses, revealing differences in their constitution and antigenic properties, which can affect their function and safety.
- It is mentioned that despite many studies on the efficacy and safety of Zonastat-H and PZP-22, the contraceptive mechanisms of SpayVac are not yet entirely understood.
The Role of SpayVac
- The SpayVac vaccine is composed of more nonzona proteins, making it less pure compared to other vaccines, but this might result in increased antigenicity (ability to provoke an immune response). The immunoreactivity of serum antibodies from SpayVac-vaccinated mares to equine zona protein is therefore of particular interest.
- Through analytical methods, it was found that these antibodies are predominantly specific for zona protein 3.
- The result of the research suggests that the serum antibodies produced from SpayVac vaccination are immunoreactive to equine zona protein in vitro, explaining the contraceptive mechanisms causing infertility observed post-vaccination.
Implications of the Research
- This research sheds light on the working mechanisms of the SpayVac vaccination and its role in horse contraception. The findings can be used to further refine the use of immunocontraceptives in horses while ensuring their safety and efficacy.
- It also opens up avenues for further research and experimentation, which may apply to other species or be useful for human contraception in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Mask TA, Schoenecker KA, Kane AJ, Ransom JI, Bruemmer JE.
(2015).
Serum antibody immunoreactivity to equine zona protein after SpayVac vaccination.
Theriogenology, 84(2), 261-267.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Electronic address: Jason.Bruemmer@colostate.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies / blood
- Antibody Specificity
- Antigens / immunology
- Contraception, Immunologic / veterinary
- Egg Proteins / immunology
- Female
- Horses / immunology
- Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
- Oocytes / immunology
- Ovary / immunology
- Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology
- Swine
- Vaccines, Contraceptive / immunology
- Zona Pellucida / chemistry
- Zona Pellucida / immunology
- Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- A S V, Dhama K, Chakraborty S, Samad HA, Latheef SK, Sharun K, Khurana SK, K A, Tiwari R, Bhatt P, K V, Chaicumpa W. Role of Antisperm Antibodies in Infertility, Pregnancy, and Potential forContraceptive and Antifertility Vaccine Designs: Research Progress and Pioneering Vision. Vaccines (Basel) 2019 Sep 16;7(3).
- 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.
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