Status of Immunodiagnosis and Immunocontraceptive Vaccines in India

The Immunophysiology of Male Reproduction

“…However, these processes have broader implications relevant to other areas of research and, in this last section, applications to clinical issues of Immunocontraception Conceptually, immunocontraception involving a vaccine that targets sperm antigens or reproductive hormones has the advantages of a potentially high degree of specificity and convincing proof-of-principle from the many patients with pre-existing autoimmune infertility. Although vaccines against gonadotropins actually have been trialed, 1128 it is unlikely that such an approach would be readily applicable to contraception in men. Other contraceptive vaccine studies have concentrated on antigens involved in critical sperm functions.…”

Immunocontraceptives: How far from reality?

“…The NII has supported research on a female contraceptive vaccine, based on β-hCG, which demonstrated for the first time that it was feasible to regulate fertility by such an approach. [ 5 ] They operated by preventing or interrupting pregnancy at the peri-implantation stage, probably by neutralizing the luteotrophic effect of hCG. The most advanced vaccine targeted the unique C-terminal peptide on the β-subunit of hCG, stimulating specific antibodies for hCG, and did not cross-react with the human luteinizing hormone (hLH).…”

“…In India, three major programs on contraceptive vaccines, based on the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) for females, the ovine follicle stimulating hormone (oFSH) for males, and the riboflavin carrier protein for both sexes have been initiated. [ 5 ]…”

“…The Government of India adopted the National Family Planning Program for development of newer technologies in this field. [ 4 5 ]…”

“…Achieving contraception by means of a vaccine is an original approach, which demands initiation of a specific antibody response against antigens critically involved in the process of mammalian reproduction. [ 5 ] This review deals with the basic aspects of immunocontraceptives along with the efforts done so far for humans.…”