Induction of infertility in adult male bonnet monkeys by immunization with phage-expressed peptides of the extracellular domain of FSH receptor.
Active immunization of proven fertile adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) with phage-expressed follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)-specific peptides from the extracellular domain resulted in a progressive drop in sperm count with all animals becoming azoospermic by day 100. However, serum testosterone concentrations were unaltered during the entire course of study and animals exhibited normal mating behaviour. Breeding studies with proven fertile female monkeys revealed that all the immunized males were infertile. Following interruption of immunization on day 225, sperm counts returned to normal with restoration of fertility. These results indicate that infertility can be induced in adult male monkeys by interfering with the action of FSH using specific peptides of the extracellular domain of FSHR as antigens, without the risk of producing cross-reacting antibodies to the other glycoprotein hormones.
Rao
A Jagannadha
AJ
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India. ajrao@biochem.iisc.ernet.in
Ramachandra
S G
SG
Ramesh
V
V
Couture
L
L
Abdennebi
L
L
Salesse
R
R
Remy
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008255:Macaca radiata; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011962:Receptors, FSH