The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for regulating fertilization and for use as a contraceptive based on the discovery herein of an oocyte specific protein, SAS1R (Sperm Acrosomal SLLP1 Receptor), which is a sperm protein receptor. Six SAS1R variants, including the full length SAS1R, were identified. mSLLP1 and SAS1R co-localized to oocytes and to acrosomes of acrosome-reacted sperm. Interactions between mSLLP1 and SAS1R were demonstrated by far-western analysis, in a yeast two-hybrid system under stringent selection conditions, and by immunoprecipitation of SAS1R by anti-mSLLP1 as well as the converse. Purified recombinant SAS1R was found to have protease activity, to inhibit fertilization in-vitro, and to induce an immune response in females. Together, the results suggest SAS1R is a proteolytically active, oocyte and early embryo specific oolemmal metalloprotease receptor for the sperm intra-acrosomal ligand SLLP1 and is a target for regulating fertilization and as a contraceptive.

The present invention is directed to novel promiscuous and artificial T helper cell epitopes (Th epitopes) designed to provide optimum immunogenicity of a target antigenic site. The target antigenic site can include a B cell epitope, a CTL epitope, a peptide hapten, a non-peptide hapten, or any immunologically reactive analogue thereof. The disclosed Th epitopes, when covalently linked to a target antigenic site in a peptide immunogen construct, elicit a strong B cell antibody response or an effector T cell response to the target antigenic site. The Th epitopes are immunosilent on their own, i.e., little, if any, of the antibodies generated by the peptide immunogen constructs will be directed towards the Th epitope, thus allowing a very focused immune response directed to the targeted antigenic site. The promiscuous artificial Th epitopes provide effective and safe peptide immunogens that do not generate inflammatory, anti-self, cell-mediated immune responses following administration.

The present invention relates to a vaccine composition which is form neutering or spaying an animal and comprises a recombinant protein in which cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are fused. More specifically, provided are: a recombinant protein for neutering or spaying an animal and for inducing antibodies against GnRH; a recombinant vector for producing the recombinant protein; a vaccine composition for neutering or spaying an animal, the vaccine composition comprising the recombinant protein; and a method for neutering or spaying an animal by using the vaccine composition. The vaccine composition according to the present invention induces antibodies against GnRH in an individual, thereby atrophying the ovaries or testes thereof. Therefore, the present invention can, at low cost, a high level of safety, and with minimal side effects, replace surgical procedures for neutering and spaying, and be beneficially used to neuter or spay an animal.

Immunogenic compositions comprising a recombinant adenoviral vector that expresses a nucleic acid molecule encoding multimers of a Gonadotrophic Releasing Hormone (GnRH), an antigenic carrier and multiple immune enhancing epitopes are described herein. The use of the immunogenic compositions on mammals resulting in an antibody response to GnRH can inhibit the physiological activity of GnRH and thus induce infertility and modify breeding behavior of immunized animals.

The present invention relates to a vaccine composition for removing boar taint, the vaccine composition including a recombinant protein in which a cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and n gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) are fused, and more specifically, provides a recombinant protein for removing boar taint to induce antibodies against GnRH, a recombinant vector for producing the same, a vaccine composition for removing boar taint, the vaccine composition including the recombinant protein, and a method for removing boar taint using the same. The vaccine composition according to the present invention induces antibodies against GnRH in an individual and has the effect of atrophying the testes through the induction of antibodies. Therefore, the present invention can be usefully used to remove boar taint by immunologically castrating a boar at low cost and with high safety and minimal side effects.

The present invention relates to virus-like particles of plant virus Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), and in particular to modified VLPs of CMV comprising Th cell epitopes, in particular universal Th cell epitopes. Furthermore, these modified VLPs serve as, preferably, vaccine platform, for generating immune responses, in particular antibody responses, against antigens linked to said modified VLPs. The presence of the Th cell epitopes, in particular universal Th cell epitopes, led to a further increase in the generated immune response.

The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for regulating fertilization and for use as a contraceptive based on the discovery herein of an oocyte specific protein, SAS1R (Sperm Acrosomal SLLP1 Receptor), which is a sperm protein receptor. Six SAS1R variants, including the full length SAS1R, were identified. mSLLP1 and SAS1R co-localized to oocytes and to acrosomes of acrosome-reacted sperm. Interactions between mSLLP1 and SAS1R were demonstrated by far-western analysis, in a yeast two-hybrid system under stringent selection conditions, and by immunoprecipitation of SAS1R by anti-mSLLP1 as well as the converse. Purified recombinant SAS1R was found to have protease activity, to inhibit fertilization in-vitro, and to induce an immune response in females. Together, the results suggest SAS1R is a proteolytically active, oocyte and early embryo specific oolemmal metalloprotease receptor for the sperm intra-acrosomal ligand SLLP1 and is a target for regulating fertilization and as a contraceptive.

The present invention relates to virus-like particles of plant virus Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), and in particular to modified VLPs of CMV comprising Th cell epitopes, in particular universal Th cell epitopes. Furthermore, these modified VLPs serve as, preferably, vaccine platform, for generating immune responses, in particular antibody responses, against antigens linked to said modified VLPs. The presence of the Th cell epitopes, in particular universal Th cell epitopes, led to a further increase in the generated immune response.

A vaccine composition for castrating pigs, comprising a peptide immunogen and a veterinarily acceptable delivery vehicle or adjuvant, wherein the peptide immunogen comprises (a) a LHRH peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, and (b) at least one T helper epitope selected from a group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 4, and 5, and, optionally, an immunostimulatory peptide of SEQ IN NO: 6, wherein the LHRH peptide is covalently linked through its N-terminus residue to the T helper epitope or immunostimulatory peptide. A method for castrating or inhibiting characteristics, including boar taint, induced by the sexual maturation of pigs using the vaccine composition is also disclosed.

A composition includes a contraceptive chimeric virus-like particle with an antigenic carrier domain and one or more antigenic regions from a sperm cell in the antigenic carrier domain, with the antigenic carrier domain including human papillomavirus L1 capsid protein and the antigenic regions including one or more structural elements of the Catsper ion channel complex. When administered to a patient, the contraceptive vaccine stimulates production of anti-sperm antibodies that, upon binding to a sperm cell, inhibit the sperm cell's motility and thus inhibit the ability of the sperm cell to fertilize an egg cell. The induced immunoinfertility of the composition can be reversed for brief or extended lengths of time by overdosing the patient with a reversal agent lacking the antigenic carrier domain but having a protein sequence substantially identical to that of the one or more antigenic regions to sequester the anti-sperm antibodies.