Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)-derived peptide vaccine induced infertility in mice without pathological effect on reproductive organs

Reprod Fertil Dev. 2011;23(4):544-50. doi: 10.1071/RD10142.

Abstract

In a previous study it was found that priming with recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (rhFSHR) protein (F140) and boosting with a peptide containing amino acids 32-44 from FSHR showed a specific immune response and fertility inhibition in adult male mice. However, this priming and boosting led to damage of the reproductive organs. Therefore, to eliminate this damage, the peptide prime-boost strategy was explored as a possible means of avoiding the pathological change while maintaining infertility. Immunisation with the peptide prime-boost strategy led to decreased fertility 10 weeks after vaccination, which is consistent with Balb/C mice treated with the protein prime-peptide boost regime. In contrast to the cellular swelling and spotty necrosis in spermatogonia observed in the protein-primed mice, the mice receiving peptide priming did not display pathological damage in seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. Thus, the prime-boost immune regime with the FSHR-derived peptide potentially provides a much safer candidate for a contraceptive vaccine.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Male / epidemiology
  • Genital Diseases, Male / etiology
  • Genitalia, Male / drug effects*
  • Genitalia, Male / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced*
  • Infertility, Male / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Receptors, FSH / chemistry
  • Receptors, FSH / immunology*
  • Semen Analysis
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / drug effects
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / immunology
  • Vaccines, Contraceptive / adverse effects*
  • Vaccines, Contraceptive / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, FSH
  • Vaccines, Contraceptive