The antigenic and immunogenic properties of synthetic peptide immunocontraceptive vaccine candidates based on gamete antigens

In this study we have investigated the immunogenicity and antigenicity of s ynthetic immunocontraceptive vaccine candidates containing T- and B-cell ep itopes arranged in different geometries. Two epitopes were selected, a B-ce ll epitope from fox sperm lactate dehydrogenase C-4 and a B-cell epitope fr om murine zona pellucida protein 3. Both were immunogenic in BALB/c mice wh en coupled to defined T helper cell determinants, eliciting antibodies whic h bound to the corresponding B-cell epitope and also to the recombinant pro tein. Because each of these proteins represent important components in the fertilisation process the results encourage further investigation of synthe tic immunocontraceptive vaccines. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.