title: Design, synthesis and evaluation of a gonadotropin releasing hormone-based subunit vaccine in rams (Ovis aries).
abstract: Immunocastration using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based vaccines has been investigated in rams to reduce aggressive and sexual behaviour and to control meat quality. Despite considerable efforts, a practical GnRH vaccine has yet to be developed for rams. In the present study, a A GnRH-lipopeptide vaccine (GnRH-LP) including two copies of GnRH, 2-amino-d,l-hexadecanoic acid (C16), and a unique T helper epitope, was examined in rams. Rams received a primary and secondary vaccination of GnRH-LP without additional adjuvant (Group 1) or with the adjuvant AdjuVac™ (Group 2). In both Group 1 and 2 anti-GnRH antibody titres increased after secondary vaccination, however, the antibody titres were higher (p<0.01) for rams in Group 2. The latter rams showed a marked decrease in testicular size. The marked and sustained reduction in testicular size in rams treated with GnRH-LP+AdjuVac™ provides the basis for an effective immunocastration vaccine in rams.
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors: Daryn
authors: D
authors: Goodwin
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors: Pegah
authors: P
authors: Varamini
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors: Pavla
authors: P
authors: Simerska
authors: The University of Sydney, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Camden Campus, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: D'Occhio
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woollongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia. Electronic address: i.toth@uq.edu.au.
authors: Istvan
authors: I
authors: Toth
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000906:Antibodies; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: GnRH; Immunocastration; Lipopeptide; Ram; Subunit vaccine