Immunocontraception in rodents: a review of the development of a sperm-based immunocontraceptive vaccine for the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. M. Moore ◽  
N. M. Jenkins ◽  
C. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Oral Immunization ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Grey Squirrel ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Contraceptive Vaccine ◽  
Population Turnover ◽  
Contraceptive Vaccines

The strategy for developing contraceptive vaccines for wild rodents will depend on the species. In rats and mice, high all-year birth rates, high levels of dispersal and promiscous mating systems suggest that, if immunocontraception was used alone, >90% of the population would have to sterilized to achieve the desired control. In Britain, the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) may be a better candidate to investigate the feasibility of a contraceptive vaccine in rodents. This introduced species is a seasonal breeder with a much lower population turnover than rats or mice. As well as causing damage to woodland, it has ousted the native red squirrel (S. valgaris) from most of the UK. A humane and selective method for the control of grey squirrels is therefore highly desirable Numerous sperm-specific antigens have been identified on rodent spermatozoa. Monoclonal antibodies to particular components block sperm–egg interactions in laboratory animals and cross-react with grey squirrel spermatozoa. In vitro fertilization assays indicate that squirrel sperm–egg binding may be inhibited also. Currently, a cDNA library obtained from grey squirrel testis is being screened to identify genes encoding specific sperm antigens involved in fertilization. Methods of enhancing immunogenicity after oral immunization using microparticle carriers and immune-stimulating complexes are currently under investigation.

Differences between antigenic determinants of pig and cat zona pellucida proteins

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Jewgenow ◽  
M Rohleder ◽  
I Wegner
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Contraceptive Vaccine ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Dependent Inhibition ◽  
Dose Dependent Inhibition ◽  
Dose Dependent

Despite many efforts, the control of reproduction in feral cat populations is still a problem in urban regions around the world. Immunocontraception is a promising approach; thus the present study examined the suitability of the widely used pig zona pellucida proteins (pZP) for contraception in feral domestic cats. Purified zona pellucida proteins obtained from pig and cat ovaries were used to produce highly specific antisera in rabbits. Antibodies against pZP raised in rabbits or lions were not effective inhibitors of either in vitro sperm binding (cat spermatozoa to cat oocytes) or in vitro fertilization in cats, whereas antibodies against feline zona pellucida proteins (fZP) raised in rabbits showed a dose-dependent inhibition of in vitro fertilization. Immunoelectrophoresis, ELISA and immunohistology of ovaries confirmed these results, showing crossreactivity of anti-fZP sera to fZP and to a lesser extent to pZP, but no interaction of anti-pZP sera with fZP. It is concluded that cat and pig zonae pellucidae express a very small number of shared antigenic determinants, making the use of pZP vaccine in cats questionable. A contraceptive vaccine based on feline zona pellucida determinants will be a better choice for the control of reproduction in feral cats if immunogenity can be achieved.

scholarly journals Successful capacitation and homologous fertilization in vitro in Calomys musculinus and Calomys laucha (Rodentia - sigmodontinae)

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lasserre ◽  
E Cebral ◽  
AD Vitullo
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Polar Body ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Fertilization In Vitro ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Calomys Musculinus ◽  
Calomys Laucha

Small South American rodents of the genus Calomys have been used extensively for virology and ecological research. Previous studies have demonstrated that Calomys musculinus and Calomys laucha have a relatively short oestrous cycle and that superovulation and parthenogenetic activation can be induced. The purpose of this study was to determine the requirements for in vitro manipulation of the male gamete and in vitro fertilization. Two culture media and different concentrations of spermatozoa were tested for their ability to support sperm motility, hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. The ability of capacitated Calomys spermatozoa to penetrate zona-free hamster eggs was also evaluated. In vitro fertilization was assessed by examining attachment and binding to the zona pellucida, second polar body extrusion, pronucleus formation and the fertilizing sperm tail. The results of the study showed that: (i) Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) medium was more effective than T6 medium for maintaining sperm motility in vitro; (ii) hyperactivation was achieved with TALP but not with T6; (iii) the acrosome reaction was easily distinguished by light microscopy and depends on time and sperm concentration; (iv) capacitated spermatozoa are able to penetrate zona-free hamster eggs; and (v) superovulated oocytes can be fertilized in vitro. This is the first report of capacitation and in vitro fertilization for Calomys sp. These results provide opportunities to use C. musculinus and C. laucha as new laboratory animals for research into reproductive biology.

scholarly journals American tripanosomiasis: a study on the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma cruzi-like organisms in wild rodents in San Luis province, Argentina

2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana María Brigada ◽  
Roberto Doña ◽  
Enrique Caviedes-Vidal ◽  
Edgardo Moretti ◽  
Beatriz Basso
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Transmission Cycle ◽  
San Luis ◽  
Calomys Musculinus ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Set Up

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Wild and perianthropic mammals maintain the infection/transmission cycle, both in their natural habitat and in the peridomestic area. The aim of this paper was to present the results from a study on wild rodents in the central and northern regions of San Luis province, Argentina, in order to evaluate the prevalence of this infection. METHODS: Sherman traps were set up in capture areas located between latitudes 32º and 33º S, and longitudes 65º and 66º W. The captured rodents were taxonomically identified and hemoflagellates were isolated. Morphological, biometric and molecular studies and in vitro cultures were performed. Infection of laboratory animals and histological examination of the cardiac muscle and inoculation area were also carried out. Parasites were detected in circulating blood in Calomys musculinus, Graomys griseoflavus, Phyllotis darwini and Akodon molinae. The parasites were identified using biological criteria. Molecular PCR studies were performed on some isolates, which confirmed the characterization of these hemoflagellates as Trypanosoma cruzi. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Forty-four percent of the 25 isolates were identified as Trypanosoma cruzi, and the remaining 56% as Trypanosoma cruzi-like. These findings provide evidence that wild rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma cruzi-like organisms are important in areas of low endemicity.

Triploidy in a Live-Born Extremely Low Birth Weight Twin: Clinical Aspects

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliya Vakrilova ◽  
Stanislava Hitrova-Nikolova ◽  
Irena Bradinova
Keyword(s):  
Left Lung ◽  
Extremely Low Birth Weight ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Severe Respiratory Distress ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Gestational Week ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Second Twin

AbstractTriploidy is a rare chromosomal aberration characterized by a karyotype with 69 chromosomes. Triploid fetuses usually are miscarried in early pregnancy. We present a case of a triploid twin and a genetically unaffected co-twin, conceived through in vitro fertilization. A discordant growth was registered at 20 weeks of gestation. Cesarean section was performed at 355/7 gestational week. The second twin was extremely growth restricted female (780 g) with oligohydramnios and severe respiratory distress, and died at 20 hours of age. The autopsy revealed unilobar left lung, bilobar right lung, and cysts of the terminal bronchioles. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction detected triploidy compatible pattern. So, early intrauterine growth restriction may be a sign of triploidy, which must be proven by pre or postnatal genetic testing.

Predictive Model for Live Birth at 12 Months After Starting In-Vitro Fertilization Treatment

MedPharmRes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-20
Author(s):  
Vu Ho ◽  
Toan Pham ◽  
Tuong Ho ◽  
Lan Vuong
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Oocyte Retrieval ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

IVF carries a considerable physical, emotional and financial burden. Therefore, it would be useful to be able to predict the likelihood of success for each couple. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to develop a prediction model to estimate the probability of a live birth at 12 months after one completed IVF cycle (all fresh and frozen embryo transfers from the same oocyte retrieval). We analyzed data collected from 2600 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at a single center in Vietnam between April 2014 and December 2015. All patients received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist stimulation, followed by fresh and/or frozen embryo transfer (FET) on Day 3. Using Cox regression analysis, five predictive factors were identified: female age, total dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone used, type of trigger, fresh or FET during the first transfer, and number of subsequent FET after the first transfer. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the final model was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60‒0.65) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.57‒0.63) for the validation cohort. There was no significant difference between the predicted and observed probabilities of live birth (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p > 0.05). The model developed had similar discrimination to existing models and could be implemented in clinical practice.

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