Full Description
Brings together contributions from experts involved with all aspects of reproductive research and discusses how an immune-type response to inhibit conception might be induced via an antigen vaccine. The coverage provides a thorough description of the sperm-egg surface domain interactions in fertilization, with specific emphasis on the influence of antibodies and gamete-specific antigens in preventing or enhancing conception. Individual chapters deal with a broad range of subjects pertaining to the fertilization reaction and each is followed by a short discussion clarifying or expanding upon the ideas presented.
Contents
Sperm antigens - defining sperm surface domains, D.Myles et al; epididymal and seminal plasma-related leads - immunologic cytokines and reproduction, D.Anderson; sperm-zona interaction - sperm acrosin and binding to the zona pellucida, E.Topfer-Petersen et al; zona pellucida antigens - development and maturation of the zona pellucida, A.Sacco; antibodies as analytical tools and immunogens - development of human-human antisperm monoclonal antibodies, M.Kurpisz; the use of molecular biology for antigen production - molecular biological approaches for antigen production, W.Chin; evaluating gamete antigens - anti-sperm assays, W.Jones; contraceptive vaccine development - strategy of vaccine development, D.Griffin; immunosafety aspects of fertility control vaccine, G.Ada.
