Zona pellucida glycoproteins: Relevance in fertility and development of contraceptive vaccines

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. e13535 - n/a
• Main Author: Gupta, Satish K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Animals; B cell epitope mapping; Contraception, Immunologic; contraceptive vaccine; Deer; Dogs; Dystrophy; Egg Proteins - genetics; Egg Proteins - metabolism; Epitopes; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte - metabolism; Female; Fertility; Fertilization; Follicular Atresia; Glycoproteins; Horses; Humans; Immunization; Infertility; Lymphocytes T; Lyssavirus; Membrane Glycoproteins; Monoclonal antibodies; Oocytes; Ovaries; Rabies; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Recombinant Proteins; Vaccines; Vaccines, Contraceptive; wildlife population management; Zona Pellucida; zona pellucida glycoproteins; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins - metabolism; Zoonoses; contraceptive vaccine; zona pellucida glycoproteins; infertility; B cell epitope mapping; wildlife population management
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.13535

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.