Contraceptive potential of antibodies to the zona pellucida
Henderson, C.J.; Hulme, M.J.; Aitken, R.J.
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 83(1): 325-343
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4251 PMID: 3294396 DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0830325Document Number: 361704
The notion of a contraceptive vaccine based on gamete-specific surface antigens was first proposed over a decade ago, as the result of in-vitro and in-vivo studies, and in recent years has been the subject of intensive research. In particular, the zona pellucida has attracted much attention as a potential target for immunological intervention in the fertilization process. Such is the rapidly-expanding nature of research into the biochemical and biological characterization of this structure, that a review of the implications for the development of a contraceptive vaccine seems timely.