MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AGAINST HUMAN SPERM-SPECIFIC YLP 12 PEPTIDE SEQUENCE INVOLVED IN OOCYTE BINDING

Abstract

The monoclonalantibody (mAb) against YLP 12 peptide was raised and its immunobiological properties were examined. In the Western blot procedure, the YLP 12 mAb recognized a specific protein band of ~50 &#45 5 kD in human sperm extract and ~72 &#45 5 kD in human testis extract. The myeloma Ig control did not recognize these specific protein bands. In the immunofluorescence studies, the YLP 12 mAb, and not the myeloma Ig, predominantly reacted with the acrosome regions of methanol-fixed human sperm. In the acrosome reaction assay, the YLP 12 mAb showed a significant ( p <.001) and a concentration-dependent inhibition of acrosome reaction. The myeloma Ig did not affect the acrosome reaction. There was no apparent effect of antibodies on sperm motility. Thus, the monoclonal antibody, if humanized by genetic engineering technology, may provide a useful immunocontraceptive agent.

• Acrosome Reaction
• Contraceptive Vaccine
• Fertilization
• Sperm Antigen
• Testis