Effect of pretreatment of semen with pokeweed antiviral protein on pregnancy outcome in the rabbit model

Objective: To determine whether artificial insemination of semen pretreated with pokeweed antiviral protein a 29-kD antihuman immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) protein purified from the leaves of Phytolacca americana, has any adve rse effects on pregnancy outcome in the rabbit model. Design: Prospective, controlled study. Setting: Center for Advanced Preclinical Sciences at the Parker Hughes Inst itute. Animal(s): Forty-eight female and 12 male New Zealand White rabbits. Interventions: Fresh pooled semen obtained from 12 bucks was treated for 1 hour with and without 100 mug/mL or 1000 mug/mL pokeweed antiviral protein. Ovulated does in groups of 16 were artificially inseminated with control a nd pokeweed antiviral protein-treated semen and allowed to complete term pr egnancy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Proportion of does that became pregnant and delive red newborn rabbits; the litter size, weight, growth, and viability of pups until lactation day 5. Result(s): Pokeweed antiviral protein treatment of semen had no adverse eff ect on gestation length, pregnancy rate, perinatal outcome, growth, and dev elopment of the offspring. Conclusion(s): Pokeweed antiviral protein shows clinical potential as a saf e, prophylactic antiviral agent in assisted reproduction in HIV-1 discordan t couples. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76:830-3. (C) 2001 by American Society fo r Reproductive Medicine.).