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Pan F, Fu W, Zhang B, Han M, Xie H, Yi Q, Qian W, Cui J, Cao M, Li Y, Jia Y, Fang F, Ling Y, Li Y, Liu Y. Effects of Vaccination against Recombinant FSH or LH Receptor Subunits on Gonadal Development and Functioning Male Rats. Vet Sci 2024; 11:176. [PMID: 38668443 PMCID: PMC11054695 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) play key roles in regulating testosterone secretion and spermatogenesis in male mammals, respectively, and they maintain the fertility of male animals by binding to their corresponding receptors. We designed and prepared a recombinant LH receptor (LHR) subunit vaccine and a recombinant FSH receptor (FSHR) subunit vaccine and used male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats as a model to examine their effects on testicular development, spermatogenesis, and testosterone secretion in prepubertal and pubertal mammals. Both vaccines (LHR-DTT and FSHR-DTT) significantly decreased the serum testosterone level in prepubertal rats (p < 0.05) but had no effect on the testosterone secretion in pubertal rats; both vaccines decreased the number of cell layers in the seminiferous tubules and reduced spermatogenesis in prepubertal and pubertal rats. Subunit vaccine FSHR-DTT decreased the sperm density in the epididymis in both prepubertal and pubertal rats (p < 0.01) and lowered testicular index and sperm motility in pubertal rats (p < 0.05), whereas LHR-DTT only reduced the sperm density in the epididymis in pubertal rats (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the FSHR subunit vaccine may be a promising approach for immunocastration, but it still needs improvements in effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Pan
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wanzhen Fu
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bochao Zhang
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Mengdi Han
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Huihui Xie
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qing Yi
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wei Qian
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jiankun Cui
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Meng Cao
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanqiuhong Li
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuke Jia
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Fugui Fang
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
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Urfer SR, Kaeberlein M. Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E1086. [PMID: 31817504 PMCID: PMC6940997 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Desexing dogs is promoted for population control, preventative healthcare, and behavior modification. Common methods are orchiectomy and ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. GnRH superagonist implants are available in some areas. Alternative methods like vasectomy and salpingectomy/hysterectomy are uncommon. The terminology used to describe desexing is inconsistent and contradictory, showing a need for the adaption of standardized terminology. Population Control: Surprisingly, empirical studies show no effects of desexing on population control in companion and shelter dogs despite desexing being consistently recommended in the literature. There is evidence for a population control effect in free-roaming dogs, where desexing also has benefits on zoonotic disease and bite risk. Population control in free-roaming dogs is mostly correlated with female, not male desexing. Health and Lifespan: Desexing affects numerous disease risks, but studies commonly neglect age at diagnosis and overall lifespan, age being by far the most important risk factor for most diseases. We argue that lifespan is a more important outcome than ultimate cause of death. A beneficial effect of desexing on lifespan is consistently demonstrated in females, while evidence for a beneficial effect in males is inconsistent. Studies are likely biased in desexing being a proxy for better care and desexed dogs having already lived to the age of desexing. Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity. Urinary incontinence risk is increased in females only. Various other disease risk changes show considerable variability between breeds and sexes. Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction. Desexed dogs may be less likely to cause bite injuries across sexes. The evidence for other effects such as human-directed aggression, human or object mounting, resource guarding, or shyness and anxiety is inconsistent and contradictory. There are few studies specific to females or individual breeds. Conclusions: The evidence for a beneficial effect of desexing is stronger in female than in male dogs; however, there is significant variation between breeds and sexes, and more research is needed to further elucidate these differences and to arrive at individualized evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvan R. Urfer
- Dog Aging Project, Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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DNA Vaccine Targeting Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor and Its Application in Animal Contraception. Mol Biotechnol 2018; 61:73-83. [PMID: 30448908 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-018-0137-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Overpopulation of free-roaming and wildlife animals negatively affects economy and public health in many parts of the world. Contraceptive vaccines are viewed as a valuable option for reducing numbers of unwanted animals. This study develops vaccines for potential use in animal contraception exploiting a DNA platform. Objectives of the study were to generate DNA constructs directed against gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), a crucial molecular player in animal reproduction, and characterize them for ability to promote immune responses and suppression of reproductive parameters in vivo. DNA constructs were created to encode for a recombinant protein composed of two domains: GnRHR, the target antigen, and ubiquitin (Ub), a support protein. Ub-GnRHR constructs administered intramuscularly or intradermally or containing different promoters were compared. CMV and EF1α promoters were shown to be superior to CAG. In fertility trials, mice immunized intradermally with Ub-GnRHR construct driven by EF1α had a significantly lower number of fetuses. Importantly, the impaired fertility was achieved with a single DNA immunization and without the use of adjuvants. The study demonstrated for the first time that targeting the GnRH receptor with DNA-based vaccines could be a viable option for animal contraception.
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Abstract
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that each year between 8 and 10 million dogs and cats enter shelters and 4-5 million of these animals are euthanized due to lack of homes. Many veterinarians within the United States recommend surgical sterilization for population control in dogs and cats. However, there are non-surgical methods to control reproduction. Pharmacologic methods of contraception and sterilization can be safe, reliable and reversible. Hormonal treatments using progestins, androgens, or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs act to either directly block reproductive hormone receptor-mediated events, or indirectly block conception via negative feedback mechanisms. Immunocontraception, via vaccination against GnRH, the luteinizing hormone receptor or zona pellucida proteins, is also possible. Intratesticular or intraepididymal injections provide a method for non-surgical sterilization of the male dog and cat. Additional methods have been employed for mechanical disruption of fertility including intravaginal and intrauterine devices and ultrasound testicular ablation. Alternative approaches to surgical sterilization will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kutzler
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 158 Magruder Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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Hao M, Rathnam P, Saxena B. Expression of a recombinant bifunctional protein from a chimera of human lutropin receptor and human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit. J Reprod Immunol 2005; 63:123-35. [PMID: 15380943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2004.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2004] [Revised: 07/09/2004] [Accepted: 07/14/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Human lutropin (hLH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are structurally and functionally similar and play important roles in reproduction via a common gonadal receptor (LH-R). However, hormone specific hCG-beta subunit contains 24 additional amino acid carboxyl terminal peptide (CTP), which produce specific antibodies to hCG-beta with little cross-reaction with LH. A chimeric protein containing both hLH-R and hCG-beta would provide a unique bifunctional antigen for immunocontraception. In this study is described the synthesis of a chimeric DNA construct of full-length of hLH-receptor and hCG-beta and its expression in Sf9 cells to produce a bifunctional protein. Recombinant protein was recognized by antibodies to LH-R as well as anti-hCG-beta in Western Blots, thus indicating the preservation of immunological epitopes for both hLH-R and hCG-beta in the chimera. Specific ligand binding of recombinant hLH-R component was demonstrated by the displacement of bound labeled hCG at increasing concentrations of unlabeled hCG, indicating that, the presence of hCG-beta component of the chimera did not interfere with the binding of hCG to LH-R. hCG-beta was also present in the recombinant chimeric protein as shown by a specific hCG-beta chemiluminescence assay. Treatment of transfected Sf9 cells with hCG induced dose-dependent increase in the stimulation of intracellular cAMP production, which showed that the ligand binding had functional activity. These results demonstrate that the chimeric DNA construct of hLHR-hCG-beta expressed a bifunctional protein containing both hLH-R and hCG-beta activities, which could provide a unique potential antigen for immunocontraception in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Hao
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of OB-GYN, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Abstract
The world's population is growing at a tremendous rate, affecting growth and development. Apart from this population growth, unintended pregnancies resulting in elective abortions continue to be a major public health issue. In over half of these unintended pregnancies, the women have used some type of contraception. Thus, there is an urgent need for a better method of contraception that is acceptable, effective and available. The contraceptive choices available to women at this time include steroid contraceptives, intrauterine devices, barrier methods, spermicides, natural family planning, male and female sterilisation, and recently available emergency contraceptives. Contraceptive vaccines (CVs) may provide viable and valuable alternatives that can fulfill most, if not all, properties of an ideal contraceptive. Since both the developed and most of the developing nations have an infrastructure for mass immunisation, the development of vaccines for contraception is an exciting proposition. The molecules that are being explored for CV development either target gamete production (gonadotropin releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone), gamete function (zona pellucida [ZP] proteins and sperm antigens) or gamete outcome (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]). Disadvantages of CVs targeting gamete production are that they affect sex steroids and/or show only a partial effect in reducing fertility. CVs targeting gamete function are better choices. Vaccines based on ZP proteins are quite efficacious in producing contraceptive effects. However, they invariably induce oophoritis affecting sex steroids. Sperm antigens constitute the most promising and exciting targets for CVs. Several sperm-specific antigens have been delineated in several laboratories and are being actively explored for CV development. Antisperm antibody-mediated immunoinfertility provides a naturally occurring model to indicate how an antisperm vaccine will work in humans. Vaccines targeting gamete outcome primarily focus on the hCG molecule. The hCG vaccine is the first vaccine to undergo phase I and II clinical trials in humans. Both the efficacy and the lack of immunotoxicity have been reasonably well demonstrated for this vaccine. The present studies focus on increasing the immunogenicity and efficacy of this birth control vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Naz
- Division of Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614-5806, USA.
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Saxena BB, Clavio A, Singh M, Rathnam P, Bukharovich EY, Reimers TJ, Saxena A, Perkins S. Effect of immunization with bovine luteinizing hormone receptor on ovarian function in cats. Am J Vet Res 2003; 64:292-8. [PMID: 12661868 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of immunization with bovine luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) on ovarian function of cats. ANIMALS 9 adult female domestic cats. PROCEDURE 7 cats were immunized with 0.5 mg of LH-R encapsulated in a silastic subdermal implant (3 x 10 mm); 2 served as control cats. Receptors had 80% specific binding to 125I-human chorionic gonadotropin with a binding capacity of 2,682 pM/mg. Cats received booster injections of LH-R. Cats were induced to ovulate with luteinizing hormone (LH) releasing hormone on day 345. Samples of venous blood and vaginal cells were collected through day 395. Observation of estrus behavior continued until day 516. Serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, thyroid gland hormones, LH, and LH-R antibody were determined. RESULTS LH-R antibody was detected in the sera of immunized cats within 21 days after implantation. Detection of LH-R antibody was associated with suppression of serum progesterone to < or = 0.5 ng/mL during the study period, compared with concentrations of 5 to 10 ng/mL in control cats. Immunized cats did not display signs of estrus. Release of LH after administration of LH-releasing hormone indicated an intact hypothalamic-pituitary axis but poor corpus luteum function. Serum estradiol concentrations remained between 30 to 40 pg/mL in immunized and control cats. With the decrease antibody titers, hormone concentrations returned to a pattern consistent with that during fertility. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Active immunization with LH-R suppressed corpus luteum function in cats. The effect was reversible. An LH-R-based antifertility vaccine may have clinical application in other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brij B Saxena
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University-New York Presbyterian Hospital, 515 E 71st St, New York, NY 10021, USA
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