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Effect of active immunization with recombinant GnRH6-kisspeptin fusion protein on reproductive function in male rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2025

Mengxian Li Open the ORCID record for Mengxian Li [Opens in a new window] ,
Xinyuan Liu ,
Xinbao Gong ,
Moyan Di ,
Shibao Guo ,
Zhihao Pan ,
Wei Zhang ,
Xu Yan ,
Xuelan Liu  and
Fugui Fang
Mengxian Li
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Xinyuan Liu
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Xinbao Gong
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Moyan Di
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Shibao Guo
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Zhihao Pan
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Wei Zhang
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Xu Yan
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Xuelan Liu
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Fugui Fang*
Affiliation:
1Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
*
Corresponding author: Fugui Fang; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Immunological castration can be an alternative to traditional surgical castration. The active immunization against GnRH or kisspeptin has a castrating effect. To date, the fusion protein vaccine of combination with GnRH and kisspeptin have not been studied. Thus, the present study will develop a GnRH6-kisspeptin vaccine by genetic engineering method and investigate its immunocastration effect in male rats. Twenty 20-day-old male rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n=10) and the immunization group (n=10). The initial immunization took place at week 0 followed by three booster doses administered intervals. The control group received an equivalent dose of white oil adjuvant. Orbital blood samples were collected at various time points following the initial immunization, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, respectively. The entire left testis was weighed and its volume measured at week 12. Samples from the right testis were obtained for histological analysis. Serum levels of GnRH and kisspeptin antibodies, as well as testosterone levels were determined using ELISA. The results showed that the serum levels of GnRH and kisspeptin antibody titres of the immunized rats were significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, the testosterone concentration was effectively reduced following the intensified immunization. The testes of the immunized group exhibited a reduction in size and a significant decrease in the number of spermatogonia in the testicular tissue compared to the control group (P<0.05). These data indicate that the recombinant GnRH6-kisspeptin protein effectively induced immunological castration in rats.

Keywords

active immunizationgonadotropin-releasing hormonegonadotropin-releasing hormone 6-kisspeptin (GnRH6-kisspeptin)male ratsreproductive function
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , First View , pp. 1 - 7
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

†

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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