Effect of pretreatment of semen with pokeweed antiviral protein on pregnancy outcome in the rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether artificial insemination of semen pretreated with pokeweed antiviral protein, a 29-kD antihuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protein purified from the leaves of Phytolacca americana, has any adverse effects on pregnancy outcome in the rabbit model.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled study.


METHODS
Center for Advanced Preclinical Sciences at the Parker Hughes Institute.


METHODS
Forty-eight female and 12 male New Zealand White rabbits.


METHODS
Fresh pooled semen obtained from 12 bucks was treated for 1 hour with and without 100 microg/mL or 1000 microg/mL pokeweed antiviral protein. Ovulated does in groups of 16 were artificially inseminated with control and pokeweed antiviral protein-treated semen and allowed to complete term pregnancy.


METHODS
Proportion of does that became pregnant and delivered newborn rabbits; the litter size, weight, growth, and viability of pups until lactation day 5.


RESULTS
Pokeweed antiviral protein treatment of semen had no adverse effect on gestation length, pregnancy rate, perinatal outcome, growth, and development of the offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Pokeweed antiviral protein shows clinical potential as a safe, prophylactic antiviral agent in assisted reproduction in HIV-1 discordant couples.
D'Cruz
O J
OJ
Drug Discovery Program, Department of Reproductive Biology, Parker Hughes Institute, St. Paul, Minnesota 55113, USA. odcruz@ih.org
Uckun
F M
FM
D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D010940:Plant Proteins; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases; C024275:pokeweed antiviral protein