Study of the Anti – Pregnancy - Associated Glycoprotein (Anti – Pag) Resulted from Antigen Pag Immunization, as Prospective Early Pregnancy Detector in Animals

Blastocyst protein named pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) has been isolated from pregnant dairy cow serum. PAG yielded from previous research issued from pregnant animals, wherein was specifically produced. This study is an initial research to use PAG as an antigen to be injected to rabbit in order to produce the corresponding antibody. The objective of the research was to study the character of anti-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (Anti-PAG), as a result of immunization of PAG and to learn its specification reaction. The PAG isolate had bovine origin (molecular weight-MW of 67.34 kDa) and issued from previous research. Injection of PAG isolate could stimulate the production of Anti-PAG as an immunization response. Immunization was done by double booster inoculation. Anti-PAG derived from immunization was characterized via antibody titer value using ELISA technique. Specificity test of Anti-PAG was carried on by Western Blot technique. Results revealed that injection of PAG isolate to the rabbit stimulates anti-PAG production. Concentration of Anti-PAG was 1.192 μg with titer of 1.044. Anti-PAG derived from rabbits recognized Standard PAG antigen (bovine PAG MDBiomed cat. 101-7963-13-3) and PAG isolate derived from previous research. The reaction of antigen antibody is the basic structure of creating a gestation detection kit. Anti-PAG is expected to be the molecular marker in developing a gestation detection kit in the near future.

Microneedle-Based Intradermal Delivery of the Anthrax Recombinant Protective Antigen Vaccine

ABSTRACT The recombinant protective antigen (rPA) of Bacillus anthracis is a promising anthrax vaccine. We compared serum immunoglobulin G levels and toxin-neutralizing antibody titers in rabbits following delivery of various doses of vaccine by microneedle-based intradermal (i.d.) delivery or intramuscular (i.m.) injection using conventional needles. Intradermal delivery required less antigen to induce levels of antibody similar to those produced via i.m. injection during the first 2 weeks following primary and booster inoculation. This dose-sparing effect was less evident at the later stages of the immune response. Rabbits immunized i.d. with 10 μg of rPA displayed 100% protection from aerosol spore challenge, while i.m. injection of the same dose provided slightly lower protection (71%). Groups immunized with lower antigen doses were partially protected (13 to 29%) regardless of the mode of administration. Overall, our results suggest rPA formulated with aluminum adjuvant and administered to the skin by a microneedle-based device is as efficacious as i.m. vaccination.

Case studies in wildlife immunocontraception: wild and feral equids and white-tailed deer

Non-lethal management methods are required for wild equids that are protected by law and for deer inhabiting areas where lethal controls are not legal or safe. Single or multiple inoculations of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine have been delivered to wild horses and deer by means of darts. Contraceptive efficacy in horses after two inoculations ranged from 90% to 100%, and after a single inoculation ranged from 19% to 28%. Mares given a controlled-release form of the vaccine had foaling rates ranging from 7% to 20%. No detectable changes in social organization or behaviours among treated horses occurred. Contraceptive effects were reversible after 4 consecutive years of treatment but 5–7 years of treatment resulted in ovulation failure and decreased urinary oestrogen concentrations. Among deer, two inoculations were 70–100% effective in preventing fawns, but one inoculation yielded a contraceptive efficacy of ≤20%, with pregnancies occurring late in the breeding season; a single annual booster inoculation reduced fertility to 20% in the second year. Energy costs of extended breeding seasons were less than those resulting from pregnancy. After two years of treatment, ovaries appeared normal. These studies suggest that PZP immunocontraception can be successfully applied to certain free-roaming populations of wild horses and deer.

Prophylactic immunization of humans against rabies by intradermal inoculation of human diploid cell culture vaccine

The antirabies human diploid cell vaccine produced by 1'Institute Merieux, Lyon, France, was administered intradermally to 35 high-risk volunteers using 0.2-ml amounts and various immunization schedules. Three groups never before vaccinated against rabies developed virus-neutralizing antibodies, the titer of which was dose dependent. A single injection stimulated the formation of antibodies. Four inoculations induced the highest antibody levels and the longest persistence of antibody. The administration of a single intradermal booster inoculation was sufficient, even in the case of low-persisting antibody, to elicit a rapid increase of antibodies to high levels. A primary inoculation course of two injections induced a sufficient antibody level which, in case of exposure, could apparently be rapidly elevated by a 0.2-ml intradermal booster inoculation. Adverse side reactions were observed in 7 of 14 individuals after a 1- or 1.5-year intradermal booster inoculation. We therefore suggest that the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes continue to be used for primary vaccinations and that the highly effective intradermal route be restricted to booster inoculations. This is the first long term study of this vaccine and should be a guideline for the pre-exposure treatment of high-risk personnel.