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  • Title: Contraceptive vaccine development.
    Author: Alexander NJ, Bialy G.
    Journal: Reprod Fertil Dev; 1994; 6(3):273-80. PubMed ID: 7831480.
    Abstract:
    Recent advances in antigen definition and production have made the development of a contraceptive vaccine more attainable. Such a vaccine must evoke an immune response that blocks an indispensable step in the reproductive process. Vaccine research involves many approaches to fertility prevention. Vaccines are being developed that could interrupt fertility by inhibition of gonadotrophin release, the function of follicle-stimulating hormone or the effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG); alternatively, they may prevent fertilization by interfering with the transport of spermatozoa or with sperm-zona pellucida binding. The most advanced prototype is a vaccine based on antibodies to beta hCG. Such vaccines are being studied for clinical efficacy. Many hurdles remain in contraceptive vaccine development. Since the antigens are peptides or small proteins, the resultant immune response is usually moderate, and better adjuvants and delivery systems must be developed to enhance and maintain the immune response. Improvement of the mucosal immune response may be necessary for vaccines incorporating sperm antigens. Research on vaccines that control fertility has resulted in a fascinating base of scientific knowledge that, it is hoped, can be converted into products that will allow another option for individuals who wish to control their fertility. A contraceptive vaccine must stimulate an immune response that suppresses a crucial step in the reproductive process. The most advanced prototype vaccines are based on antibodies to beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. Other contraceptive vaccines in development are those based on gonadotropin-releasing hormone and on follicle-stimulating hormone. Gamete vaccines interfere with sperm transport or with sperm-zona pellucida binding. Contraceptive vaccine research in the US has focused on gamete antigens and on reproductive hormones. In contraceptive vaccine development research, the antigens tend to only cause a moderate immune response because they are peptides or small proteins. Improved adjuvants and delivery systems are needed to boost the immune response. Genetic engineering has allowed researchers to synthesize antigens and express them in vectors that ease the initiation of the immune response. Some possible vectors are BCG, Salmonella, vaccinia, and adenovirus. Direct placement of sperm antigens in the reproductive tract tends to elicit a poor mucosal immune response. More research is needed to find ways to improve the mucosal immune response for vaccines incorporating sperm antigens. Past and recent contraceptive vaccine research has formed a good scientific knowledge base. It is hoped that this base can lead to contraceptive vaccines.
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