title: Enhanced Suppression of Fertility Can be Achieved by Priming with FSHR and Eppin and Further Boosting with Their B-cell Epitope Peptides.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In our previous study on adult male mice, we had identified one immunodominant epitope in hEppin and three epitopes in hFSHR that caused fertility inhibition. But it only demonstrated a moderate inhibitory effect on fertility, and the antifertility effect was unsatisfactory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the protein prime-peptide boost inoculation modalities, we further investigated whether the antifertility capacity could be enhanced by a combined immunization with the two antigens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results displayed a enhanced suppressed fertility (F2EP2C 6.67%) in male mice similar to that seen after four separate administrations of the two proteins (F12E-4 5%). The most likely mechanism by which this antifertility efficacy was achieved was probably through the production of antibodies that led not only to impairment of spermatogenesis but also to inhibition of sperm motility. Moreover, this treatment also induced high concentrations of neutralizing antibodies which were secreted into the lumen of the epididymis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, a combination immunization with hFSHR and hEppin enhanced the contraceptive effects and may provide a better means of immunocontraception.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.|Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Yan
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: He
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Yuzhang
authors: Y
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Zhengqiong
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Haiyang
authors: H
authors: He
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Ni
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Ji
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Xia
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Zigang
authors: Z
authors: Shen
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Xiaolan
authors: X
authors: Fu
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Zhiqing
authors: Z
authors: Liang
authors: Institute of Immunology, Third Military University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Jintao
authors: J
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory / Q000276:immunology*; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000276:immunology*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; C431553:Eppin protein, human; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010455:Peptides; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone
keywords: Epididymal protease inhibitor; follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; immunocontraception; spermatozoa; testis