Abstract:
Mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) is composed of three to four glycoproteins, which plays an important role during fertilization. Mutations in the genes encoding zona proteins are reported in women with empty follicle syndrome, degenerated oocytes and those with an abnormal or no ZP further emphasizing their relevance during fertility. Immunization with either native or recombinant ZP glycoproteins/proteins leads to curtailment of fertility in various animal species. Observed infertility is frequently associated with ovarian pathology characterized by follicular atresia and degenerative changes in ZP, which may be due to oophoritogenic T cell epitope(s) within ZP glycoproteins. To avoid ovarian dystrophy, B cell epitopes of ZP glycoproteins have been mapped by using bio-effective monoclonal antibodies. Immunization with the immunogens encompassing the mapped B cell epitopes by and large led to amelioration of follicular atresia. However, their use for human application will require more rigorous research to establish their safety and reversibility of the contraceptive effect. Nonetheless, to minimize human-animal conflicts, ZP-based contraceptive vaccines have been used successfully in the population management of free-ranging animal species such as feral horses, white-tailed deer and elephants. To control zoonotic diseases, attempts are also underway to control the population of other animal species including stray dogs, which acts as one of the major vectors for the rabies virus.
摘要:
哺乳动物透明带(ZP)由3至4种糖蛋白组成,在受精过程中起着重要作用。据报道,在空卵泡综合征的女性中,编码zona蛋白的基因突变。退化的卵母细胞和ZP异常或无ZP的卵母细胞进一步强调了它们在生育过程中的相关性。用天然或重组ZP糖蛋白/蛋白的免疫导致各种动物物种中生育能力的降低。观察到的不孕症通常与以卵泡闭锁和ZP退行性改变为特征的卵巢病理学相关。这可能是由于ZP糖蛋白内的卵生T细胞表位。为了避免卵巢营养不良,已通过使用生物有效的单克隆抗体对ZP糖蛋白的B细胞表位进行了定位。用包含定位的B细胞表位的免疫原进行免疫,并在很大程度上改善了卵泡闭锁。然而,将其用于人类应用将需要更严格的研究,以确定其避孕效果的安全性和可逆性。尽管如此,尽量减少人与动物的冲突,基于ZP的避孕疫苗已成功用于野马等自由放养动物物种的种群管理,白尾鹿和大象。为了控制人畜共患疾病,还在尝试控制包括流浪狗在内的其他动物物种的数量,它是狂犬病病毒的主要传播媒介之一。