Vaccine targetting transport of sperm

SPAG9 is not only restricted to acrosomal compartment but also persists in equatorial segment post-acrosome reaction, which is a key location in sperm-egg interaction. Furthermore, indirect immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated SPAG9 localization in the acrosomal compartment of macaque and human sperm. In addition, monkey antibodies against rhSPAG9 significantly inhibited the human spermatozoa adherence or penetration in zona-free hamster oocytes. Around the world, human population is experiencing an unprecedented growth reaching 6.

The rendezvous of highly sensitive proteomic technologies with the study of sperm cell biology provides unique opportunities for insights into reproductive physiology. Spermatozoa are highly specialised cells evolved for the single purpose of fertilisation and left with only the most essential of structures, having eliminated most of their cytoplasm and lost the ability to transcribe genes into new proteins. The functional transformation of these cells after they are released from the germinal epithelium of the testes depends entirely upon changes in their protein composition, including the removal and addition of entire proteins and a complex array of post-translational modifications responsible for driving the structural and functional changes to these cells commensurate with epididymal maturation and capacitation Gadella , Baker et al. Thus, these unique cells are excellent candidates for proteomic study, and the protein profile of ejaculated spermatozoa can provide us with a great deal of information concerning their fundamental cell biology Amaral et al. Recent improvements in the power and resolution of mass spectrometers have resulted in a sudden explosion of information concerning the proteomic structure of mammalian spermatozoa. Detailed proteomic inventories are now available for human Baker et al.

Keeping sperm from being ejaculated may provide the key to creating a birth control drug for men, according to a new mouse study. The research is far from translating to a pill that human males could pop to keep from making babies; to reach that stage, any drug would have to undergo years of testing for safety and effectiveness. Nevertheless, the study offers hope for a new method of birth control for men, the researchers said. Compared with female birth control, the male version is a biological challenge. Instead of stopping one egg, male birth control would have to stop each of the 1, sperm cells men produce each second.

Molecular Biotechnology. Overpopulation of free-roaming and wildlife animals negatively affects economy and public health in many parts of the world. Contraceptive vaccines are viewed as a valuable option for reducing numbers of unwanted animals.