IMMUNIZATION AGAINST AN INHIBIN SUBUNIT PRODUCED BY RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNIQUES RESULTS IN INCREASED OVULATION RATE IN SHEEP

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
R.G. Forage
Search for other papers by R.G. Forage in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R.W. Brown
Search for other papers by R.W. Brown in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
K.J. Oliver
Search for other papers by K.J. Oliver in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
B.T. Atrache
Search for other papers by B.T. Atrache in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P.L. Devine
Search for other papers by P.L. Devine in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
G.C. Hudson
Search for other papers by G.C. Hudson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
N.H. Goss
Search for other papers by N.H. Goss in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
K.C. Bertram
Search for other papers by K.C. Bertram in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P. Tolstoshev
Search for other papers by P. Tolstoshev in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
D.M. Robertson
Search for other papers by D.M. Robertson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
D.M. de Kretser
Search for other papers by D.M. de Kretser in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
B. Doughton
Search for other papers by B. Doughton in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
H.G. Burger
Search for other papers by H.G. Burger in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
J.K. Findlay
Search for other papers by J.K. Findlay in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access
Rent on DeepDyve

Sign up for journal news

ABSTRACT

Seven Merino–Border Leicester cross–bred ewes were immunized with a purified fusion protein, produced by recombinant DNA methods, of the a subunit of bovine inhibin. Four animals were immunized with the fusion protein alone and three with a conjugate made by coupling the fusion protein to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) using glutaraldehyde. Each animal received four injections of the fusion protein over 93 days. The animals were synchronized using progestagen sponges and subjected to laparoscopy for the determination of ovulation rates in two consecutive cycles (days 115 and 135). The immunized animals had overall mean ovulation rates for each cycle of 3.4 and 3.4 which was significantly (P < 0.001) above the rates of 1.1 and 1.4 determined for the controls, which had either received no treatment (n=5) or had been immunized with 300 μg KLH (n=4). Analysis of antisera taken on day 115 showed significant fusion protein antibodies and iodinated inhibin–binding capacity in the test but not control groups. Furthermore, antisera to the fusion protein in four out of seven ewes neutralized the inhibin bioactivity of ovine follicular fluid in an in–vitro bioassay. These data demonstrate that neutralization of inhibin can be effected by immunization with bovine inhibin a subunit and that such immunization results in increased ovulation rates as predicted from the biological role of inhibin as a suppressor of FSH.