Immunization of mice with heat-solubilized hamster zonae: production of anti-zona antibody and inhibition of fertility.
Immunization of female mice with heat-solubilized hamster zonae pellucidae resulted in the production of antibody specific for the zona pellucida of several species, including that of primates. Complete, although temporary, infertility was produced in the mice. The zonae of ovulated eggs from the immune mice were found to contain antibody and complement. Many also appeared abnormal, but no apparent effect was observed on either vitelli or any of the other tissues that were examined. These results suggest the feasibility of developing a zona vaccine for contraception.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010063:Ovum / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012453:Saimiri; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G