Previously, we produced a fertilization-blocking monoclonal antibody (MAb-5H4) to find a candidate peptide for a contraceptive vaccine. MAb-5H4 recognized a linear amino acid sequence of ZPA (No. 50-67) in pigs, humans and rabbits. In the present study, 18mer peptides corresponding to the sequence were conjugated with diphtheria toxoid as a carrier protein before immunization in rabbits. All three antisera recognized human zona pellucida on testing by immunofluorescent staining method. The two produced against human and rabbit peptides effectively inhibited human sperm binding to the zona pellucida, but the antiserum against the pig peptide did not. The former two peptides include an identical sequence (LDPEKLTL) of the minimum binding motif for MAb-5H4, but the latter peptide includes one amino acid replacement (K to N) in the sequence. It is thus concluded that a synthetic peptide including the sequence of LDPEKLTL could be a feasible candidate for developing a contraceptive vaccine for humans.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0378(01)00084-5 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Decoding the Genes Orchestrating Egg and Sperm Fusion Reactions and Their Roles in Fertility.
Biomedicines
December 2024
Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
Mammalian fertilization is a complex and highly regulated process that has garnered significant attention, particularly with advancements in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The fusion of egg and sperm involves a sequence of molecular and cellular events, including capacitation, the acrosome reaction, adhesion, and membrane fusion. Critical genetic factors, such as IZUMO1, JUNO (also known as FOLR4), CD9, and several others, have been identified as essential mediators in sperm-egg recognition and membrane fusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdentification of Six Novel Proteins Containing a ZP Module from Nemertean Species.
Biomolecules
December 2024
Misaki Marine Biological Station, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Koajiro 1024, Misaki, Miura 238-0225, Kanagawa, Japan.
During fertilization, a series of reactions between the eggs and spermatozoa proceed predominantly in a species-specific manner. The molecules mediating these species-specific reactions remain unknown except in a few organisms. In this study, we focused on two species belonging to the phylum Nemertea, and , and explored molecules involved in species-specific interactions between gametes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCIROZ is dispensable in ancestral vertebrates but essential for left-right patterning in humans.
Am J Hum Genet
December 2024
Laboratory of Human Genetics & Therapeutics, Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), A(∗)STAR, Singapore, Singapore; Laboratory of Human Genetics & Therapeutics, BESE, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address:
Four genes-DAND5, PKD1L1, MMP21, and CIROP-form a genetic module that has specifically evolved in vertebrate species that harbor motile cilia in their left-right organizer (LRO). We find here that CIROZ (previously known as C1orf127) is also specifically expressed in the LRO of mice, frogs, and fish, where it encodes a protein with a signal peptide followed by 3 zona pellucida N domains, consistent with extracellular localization. We report 16 individuals from 10 families with bi-allelic CIROZ inactivation variants, which cause heterotaxy with congenital heart defects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMarked blastomere herniation is the only post-thaw morphological characteristic associated with a reduced pregnancy rate for in vitro produced equine blastocysts.
Theriogenology
December 2024
University of Utrecht, Department of Clinical Sciences, Netherlands.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the relationship between the post-thaw morphology of cryopreserved equine IVP blastocysts and the likelihood of achieving pregnancy after transfer.
- The findings show that while the biopsy procedure before freezing does not negatively impact pregnancy outcomes, blastocysts with over 10% herniated cells post-thaw are less likely to result in pregnancy.
- Factors such as the interval between ICSI and blastocyst confirmation, and the specific stallion and mare involved, significantly influence pregnancy rates, with later developing embryos showing lower success rates.
Hyperelastic models for the human zona pellucida and their implications on shear modulus estimation in the clinical practice.
Sci Rep
December 2024
Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, 151, Israel.
It has long been speculated that the mechanical properties of the human oocyte can be an indicator for oocyte viability. Recent studies have demonstrated that embryo implantation rates, following Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures, may be increased if the shear modulus value of the oocyte Zona Pellucida (ZP) is taken into consideration during embryo transfer. The shear modulus was determined by an iterative oocyte specific finite element (FE) analysis based on the clinical ICSI data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!