Effect of immunization with human SP-10 in male rodents.
OBJECTIVE
Over the years immunocontraception has emerged as a promising modality. Theoretically it is possible to intercept fertility using a panel of antigens expressed along the entire pituitary, hypothalamus and gonadal axis. One such sperm antigen designated as SP-10 is in advanced stages of development. Its gene has been cloned by Wright et al. (Biol Reprod 1990; 42:693-701). It is envisaged that immunization with SP-10 would induce antisperm antibodies in females and hence interrupt fertility. However, the in vivo effect of SP-10 immunization has been assessed in male rodents with particular reference to spermatogenesis and effect of such immunization in various tissues. The SP-10 antigen was a generous gift from Dr. John Herr.


METHODS
A group of male Wistar rats and BALB/c mice were immunized with a total dose of 175 micrograms of SP-10 glutathione transferase fusion protein. Anti-SP-10 antibodies generated were detected by ELISA, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and western blot assay. Histopathology of all the organs was conducted with particular reference to assess their effect on sperm maturation in testicular sections.


RESULTS
All the animals immunized with SP-10 depicted a significant antibody response. DNA analysis by flow cytometry did not reveal any arrest of spermatogenesis, which was confirmed by histological studies.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that conventional immunization generating significant antibody titers does not induce arrest of spermatogenesis in male rodents.
Sehgal
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Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Koul
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D
Verma
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D000177:Acrosome; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014611:Vaccination
C512729:ACRV1 protein, human; C080034:Acrv1 protein, mouse; D000941:Antigens; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins