Passive transfer of maternal GnRH antibodies does not affect reproductive development in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) calves.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is intermittently released from the hypothalamus in consistent patterns from before birth to final maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis at puberty. Disruption of this signaling via GnRH vaccination during the neonatal period can alter reproduction at maturity. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of GnRH-antibody exposure on reproductive maturation and function in elk calves passively exposed to high concentrations of GnRH antibodies immediately after birth. Fifteen elk calves (eight males and seven females) born to females treated with GnRH vaccine or sham vaccine during midgestation were divided into two groups based on the concentration of serum GnRH antibodies measured during the neonatal period. Those with robust (>15 pmol (125)I-GnRH bound per mL of serum) titers (N = 10; four females and six males) were designated as the exposed group, whereas those with undetectable titers (N = 5; three females and two males) were the unexposed group. Onset of puberty, reproductive development, and endocrine function in antibody-exposed and unexposed male and female elk calves were compared. Neonatal exposure to high concentrations of GnRH antibodies had no effect on body weight (P = 0.968), endocrine profiles (P > 0.05), or gametogenesis in either sex. Likewise, there were no differences between groups in gross or histologic structure of the hypothalamus, pituitary, testes, or ovaries. Pituitary stimulation with a GnRH analog before the second potential reproductive season induced substantial LH secretion in all experimental elk. All females became pregnant during their second reproductive season and all males exhibited similar mature secondary sexual characteristics. There were no differences between exposure groups in hypothalamic GnRH content (P = 0.979), pituitary gonadotropin content (P > 0.05) or gonadal structure. We concluded that suppressing GnRH signaling through immunoneutralization during the neonatal period likely does not alter long-term reproductive function in this species.

Chitosan microparticles and nanoparticles as biocompatible delivery vehicles for peptide and protein-based immunocontraceptive vaccines.

It has become increasingly recognized that polymer particle size can have a profound effect on the interactions of particle-based vaccines with antigen presenting cells (APCs) thereby influencing and modulating ensuing immune responses. With the aim of developing chitosan particle-based immunocontraceptive vaccines, we have compared the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles and chitosan-based microparticles as vaccine delivery vehicles for vaccine candidates based on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Particles, functionalized with chloroacetyl groups, which allows the covalent attachment of thiol-containing antigens, were able to adsorb ~60-70% of their weight of peptide-based antigen and 10-20% of their weight of protein-based antigen. Quantitation by amino acid analysis of antigen associated with particles demonstrated a correlation between associated antigen and the degree of chloracetylation of particles. Visualization of fluorescently labeled antigen-loaded particles by confocal microscopy indicated that the majority of antigen was localized at the particle surface with a smaller amount located in the interior. We also found that uptake of both fluoresceinated nanoparticles and microparticles by dendritic cells occurred in a manner dependent on particle concentration. Nanoparticles trafficked from the injection site to draining lymph nodes faster than microparticles; high numbers of nanoparticle-bearing cells appeared in draining lymph nodes on day 3 and microparticles on day 4. This difference in trafficking rate did not, however, appear to have any significant impact on the ensuing immune response because inoculation with both peptide-conjugated and protein-conjugated particles induced high levels of LHRH-specific antibodies. In the case of protein-conjugated particles, the levels of antibodies elicited were similar to those elicited following inoculation with antigen emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. The approach to vaccine design that we have described here could represent another useful method for inducing immune responses against microbial, viral and tumorigenic protein antigens.