Equine immunocontraception using porcine zona pellucida: A new method for remote delivery and characterization of the immune response

Willis, P.; Heusner, Gary L.; Warren, Robert J.; Kessler, Darrel; Fayrer-Hosken, R.A.

doi:10.1016/s0737-0806(06)81753-3

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The level of anti-pZP antibodies generated as a result of a single inoculation in this study is equivalent to those reported in other studies using multiple inoculations (Liu et al 1989, Kirkpatrick et al 1992, Willis et al 1994. The significant increase in antibody titers within 2 months after the inoculation, and that an increased level of antipZP antibody was sustained for up to at least 35 weeks, indicated a release of pZP from the pellets.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The contraceptive effect lasted for a period of at least 8 months in the presence of these antibodies. In another study (Willis et al 1994), using two inoculations of pZP and a synthetic adjuvant, trehalose dicorynomycolate glycolipid, incorporated into a calcium carbonate and hydoxypropylcellulose Biobullet, anti-pZP antibody persisted for at least 40 weeks. Although these previous studies demonstrate that anti-pZP antibodies are generated as a result of a series of inoculations with pZP, characterization of the antibody response following a single inoculation of pZP has not been defined.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The use of porcine zonae pellucidae (pZP) as a contraceptive agent in female horses has been reported (Liu et al 1989, Kirkpatrick et al 1990, 1992, Willis et al 1994, Turner et al 1997, 2001). Inoculation of the heterologous antigen into horses develops systemic, humoral antibodies that are effective in preventing pregnancy in mares.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Persistence of anti-zonae pellucidae antibodies following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae in the domestic equine

Liu¹,

Turner²,

Leeuwen³

et al. 2005

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In this study of equids, we investigated the antibody response and the effect on the estrous cycle following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae (pZP) employing controlled-release methodology. We also investigated the use of two different water-soluble adjuvants as an alternative to oil-based adjuvants. Twenty-seven domestic mares were inoculated with various formulations of pZP and adjuvant. We showed that the anti-pZP antibodies generated as a result of the inoculations persisted for at least 43 weeks (length of the study). Of the various formulations used in the study, pZP and QS-21 water-soluble adjuvant, administered in combination with an emulsified preparation of pZP and Freund's Complete Adjuvant generated a significantly (P < 0.05) higher titer of anti-pZP antibodies when compared with other formulations employing the water-soluble adjuvant, Carbopol. Hormone analyses for cyclicity indicated a high incidence and extended duration of persistent corpora lutea among the treated mares. The positive control group of mares receiving two standard inoculations of pZP and Freund's Complete and Incomplete Adjuvants, as well as the placebo group of mares injected with QS-21 only, also exhibited high incidences of persistent corpora lutea. However, all mares eventually returned to normal cyclicity. The basis for the high incidence and extended duration of persistent corpora lutea was unexplained. The results demonstrate for the first time the persistent generation of anti-pZP antibodies following a single inoculation of pZP incorporated into a controlled-released preparation in the horse. This study further suggests that a single inoculation of pZP sequestered in a controlled-release lactide-glycolide polymer may serve as an alternative to traditional two-inoculation protocols for contraception investigations in the equine.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Persistence of anti-zonae pellucidae antibodies following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae in the domestic equine

Liu¹,

Turner²,

Leeuwen³

et al. 2005

Reproduction

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“…Immunocontraception using ZP proteins offers a humane approach to population control of pest animals. Few studies on the potential of immunological contraceptives in the domestic cat have been performed, despite large research efforts in other species, including wild deer and horse in North America (Willis et al 1994, Miller et al 2000, seals (Brown et al 1997) and African elephants (Fayrer-Hosken et al 2000). Here, in this study, we have examined both heterologous porcine ZP and autologous feline ZP antigens as candidate vaccines for immunocontraception in the domestic cat.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contraceptive potential of porcine and feline zona pellucida A, B and C subunits in domestic cats

Eade¹,

Roberston²,

James³

2009

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Feral cat populations are a major problem in many urban regions throughout the world, threatening biodiversity. Immunocontraception is considered as an alternative and a more humane means to control overpopulation of pest animals than current methods including trapping, poisoning and shooting. In this study, we evaluate porcine zona pellucida (ZP) polypeptide (55 kDa) and feline ZP A, B and C subunits expressed by plasmid vectors as candidate vaccines against fertility in the female domestic cat. Cats were injected subcutaneously with three doses of the ZP vaccines. Vaccinated cats were compared with naïve cats for ZP-antibody response, ovarian histology and fertility after mating. Vaccination with native porcine ZP 55 kDa polypeptide induced anti-porcine ZP antibodies detected by ELISA. However, these antibodies did not cross-react with feline ZP as assessed by immunohistochemistry and no effect on fertility in vivo was observed after mating. However, vaccination of cats with feline ZPA or feline ZPBCC DNA vectors elicited circulating antibodies specific for feline ZP as assessed by ELISA, with reactivity to native feline ZP in ovarian follicles in situ. Vaccination with feline ZPA and ZPBCC DNA did not elicit changes in ovarian histology. Although sample sizes were small, conception rates in mated females were 25 and 20% in the ZPA and ZPBCC vaccinated groups respectively, compared with 83% in the control group. We conclude that feline ZPA and ZPBCC subunits are potential candidate antigens for immunocontraceptive vaccines in the domestic cat.

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“…Alternatively, animals can be treated by remote delivery of the agent by dart or pellet (Kirkpatrick et al 1990;Willis et al 1994), but failure of delivery has been reported . Current contraceptives require multiple doses to achieve, at best, fertility control for 2-3 years, which limits their usefulness because of cost and the logistics involved (Liu et al 1989;Fraker et al 2002;Hernandez et al 2006;Turner et al 2007;Killian et al 2008;Gray et al 2010).…”

Section: Military Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding population dynamics of feral horses in the Tuan and Toolara State Forest for successful long-term population management

Zabek¹

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Feral horses (Equus caballus) in Australia are a growing problem despite implementation of management strategies. The increasing number of feral horses within the Tuan and Toolara State Forest (TTSF), a coniferous plantation on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and particularly near major public roads, has been recognised as a problem in the last decade. Desensitised to road traffic, horses are a serious distraction for motorists, and have potential to cause serious animal-vehicle accidents.The primary objective of the study was to characterise the essential demographics of the TTSF feral horses, so that the most suitable methods for long-term population management could be determined. The study was conducted from 2012 -2014 and determined social structure, reproductive performance and survival, and population growth rate. The estimation of population distribution, abundance and density together with assessment of habitat use and home range size were also addressed.The studied population did not show significant annual variation in demographics, which is consistent with measurements in other unmanaged feral horse populations in Australia and abroad. The overall size and age composition of social groups remained stable during the study period. The average harem size was estimated as 4.95 (95%CI 4.53-5.41), and usually consisted of 1 stallion, 2 -3 adult females, and 2 immature offspring (≤ 3 years of age). Males not associated with harems consisted of adult (≥ 3 years old) and sub-adult (2 years old) individuals, either forming groups of 2 -6 or living by themselves. The population showed a stable age distribution, with adult horses constituting the largest group (68%; n = 247). The sex ratio of adult female to male horses was nearly equal (0.99:1.00).The mean annual fecundity was 0.23 ± 0.07 SD and was comparable to those obtained for other feral horse populations where the environment imposed nutritional limitations. Adult females were observed to foal on average every second year. The overall nutritional status of the population expressed as body condition score (BCS; 0 -5) was 2.55 ± 0.51 SD with adult females having poorer scores than other age and gender groups. Survival estimates were consistently high (0.92 -0.95) across all age groups. The average annual finite rate of population increase (λ) for the three years of the study was 1.088 which was lower than the maximum reported for populations living in the most favourable conditions. Elasticity iii analysis demonstrated that the TTSF population growth rate was almost seven times more sensitive to changes in adult survival compared with juvenile survival, and almost twice more sensitive than changes in fecundity.Assessment of the population distribution based on a strip transect survey using horse dung on forest tracks indicated that the majority of the forestry was occupied by horses, with the highest population density being located in the central region of the plantation.Abundance and density of horses were estimated by distance line transect surv...

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Equine immunocontraception using porcine zona pellucida: A new method for remote delivery and characterization of the immune response

Cited by 25 publications

References 17 publications

Persistence of anti-zonae pellucidae antibodies following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae in the domestic equine

Persistence of anti-zonae pellucidae antibodies following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae in the domestic equine

Contraceptive potential of porcine and feline zona pellucida A, B and C subunits in domestic cats

Understanding population dynamics of feral horses in the Tuan and Toolara State Forest for successful long-term population management

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