DNA Immunization Against Proacrosin Impairs Fertility in Male Mice

Abstract

DNA immunization against proacrosin elicits an immune response in male mice associated with abnormal sperm functions and reduced fertility.

Milestones in contraceptive vaccines development and hurdles in their application

“…Active immunization of male mice with DNA vaccine encoding proacrosin led to decrease in fertility of the immunized animals. 59 A decrease in litter size was also observed as compared with the control group. The antibodies thus elicited by immunization with DNA vaccine also led to the inhibition of sperm-zona binding and Ca 2+ -ionophore induced acrosome reaction.…”

“…The most commonly used in-vitro tests for this purpose are based on studying the effect of anti-sperm antibodies on sperm motility and in-vitro fertilization. [56][57][58][59] The effect of anti-sperm antibodies to inhibit in-vitro fertilization is commonly used as a correlate of in-vivo efficacy. In-vitro fertilization assay can be performed by using super-ovulated eggs and capacitated sperm from various species.…”

An update on the potential for male contraception: emerging options

“…35 In addition, new developments in vaccine technology, such as improved adjuvants 36,37 and DNA vaccines, 38 offer the potential to develop more effective and reliable contraceptive vaccines. Such vaccines have already shown efficacy when administered to male mice, 39 thus may provide a way forward for reliable male immunocontraception.…”