Four-year contraception rates of mares treated with single-injection porcine zona pellucida and GnRH vaccines and intrauterine devices

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Killian ◽  
David Thain ◽  
Nancy K. Diehl ◽  
Jack Rhyan ◽  
Lowell Miller

We evaluated the multiyear contraceptive efficacy of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine GonaCon, the porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine SpayVac and the human intrauterine device (IUD) 380 Copper ‘T’ in mustang mares provided by the State of Nevada. Eight untreated control mares were compared with 12 mares treated with SpayVac, 16 mares treated with GonaCon and 15 mares treated with the copper-containing IUD. Rates of contraception for Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively for SpayVac were 100% (12 of 12), 83% (10 of 12), 83% (10 of 12) and 83% (10 of 12), rates for GonaCon were 94% (15 of 16), 60% (9 of 15), 60% (9 of 15) and 40% (6 of 15) and rates for IUD-treated mares were 80% (12 of 15), 29% (4 of 14),14% (2 of 14) and 0% (0 of 14). Antibody titres against PZP and GnRH declined over the four-year study. For mares given SpayVac, uterine oedema was commonly observed. IUDs were visible by ultrasonography in non-pregnant mustang mares, suggesting that pregnant mares did not retain their IUD. IUD retention may be a function of uterine size: pony mares with IUDs had high retention and contraception rates for 4–5 years. We conclude that long-term contraception of mustang mares with a single shot of either the SpayVac or GonaCon vaccine is possible.

Author(s):  
Ahmed S Ansari ◽  
Thomas G Tullius ◽  
Jason R Ross

ABSTRACT Over the past few decades, the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) as long-term contraception has steadily been increasing. Along with the increased use of IUDs, many possible complications have been made apparent. This article presents an overview of normal IUD placement, possible complications and their diagnosis using ultrasound. Ultrasound has emerged as an excellent imaging modality for the diagnosis of many pelvic pathologies, because of its availability, sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness and lack of radiation. By reading this article, the reader will be able to identify common IUD complications using ultrasound. How to cite this article Ansari AS, Tullius TG Jr, Ross JR, Plavsic SK. The Role of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Intrauterine Device Complications. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012;6(3):318-326.


Author(s):  
Maxence O Dellacherie ◽  
Aileen Li ◽  
Beverly Y Lu ◽  
Catia S Verbeke ◽  
Luo Gu ◽  
...  

AbstractVaccines have shown significant promise in eliciting protective and therapeutic responses. However, most effective vaccines require several booster shots, and it is challenging to generate potent responses against small molecules and synthetic peptide antigens often used to increase target specificity and improve vaccine stability. As continuous antigen uptake and processing by APCs and persistent toll-like receptor (TLR) priming have been shown to amplify antigen specific humoral immunity, we explored whether a single injection of a mesoporous silica micro-rod (MSR) vaccine containing synthetic molecules and peptides can effectively generate potent and durable antigen-specific humoral immunity. A single injection of the MSR vaccine against a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) decapeptide elicited highly potent anti-GnRH response that lasted for over 12 months. The MSR vaccine generated higher titers than bolus or alhydrogel alum vaccine formulations. Moreover, a MSR vaccine directed against a Her2/neu peptide within the Trastuzumab binding domain showed immunoreactivity to native Her2 protein on tumor cell surface and, when directed against nicotine, generated long-term anti-nicotine antibodies. Mechanistically, we found that the MSR vaccine induced persistent germinal center (GC) B-cell activity for more than 3 weeks after a single injection, generation of memory B cells, and that at least 7 days of immunostimulation by the vaccine was required to generate an effective humoral response. Together, these data suggest that the MSR vaccine represents a promising technology for synthetic antigen vaccines to bypass the need for multiple immunizations and enhance long-term production of antibodies against endogenous antigens in the context of reproductive biology, cancer, and chronic addiction.


1978 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McEwan

SummaryThe use of the diaphragm and other vaginal caps has declined in the last decade with the rise of oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices. This is particularly clearly shown in the group of women attending family planning clinics. These changes have been accompanied by a shift in predominance from male methods to those initiated and managed by women.Various characteristics of diaphragm acceptors at the King's group of hospital clinics have been studied from January 1972 to May 1976 and compared with those of women accepting other methods such as the pill and intrauterine device. There are marked differences in age at first attendance, and at various stages of family building; there are also differences in marital status and whether working outside the home or not. In the group of housewives accepting the diaphragm, there is an increased proportion whose partners are in non-manual occupations.These differences are discussed in relation to the acceptability of vaginal barriers, the duration of their use and their effectiveness in the long term. If immediate acceptability could be improved by a new design, they might play a more useful part as a women's method of fertility control.


Infection ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hamady ◽  
JinJu Lee ◽  
Zuzanna A. Loboda

Abstract Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Due to the continuing surge in incidence and mortality globally, determining whether protective, long-term immunity develops after initial infection or vaccination has become critical. Methods/Results In this narrative review, we evaluate the latest understanding of antibody-mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and to other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the four endemic human coronaviruses) in order to predict the consequences of antibody waning on long-term immunity against SARS-CoV-2. We summarise their antibody dynamics, including the potential effects of cross-reactivity and antibody waning on vaccination and other public health strategies. At present, based on our comparison with other coronaviruses we estimate that natural antibody-mediated protection for SARS-CoV-2 is likely to last for 1–2 years and therefore, if vaccine-induced antibodies follow a similar course, booster doses may be required. However, other factors such as memory B- and T-cells and new viral strains will also affect the duration of both natural and vaccine-mediated immunity. Conclusion Overall, antibody titres required for protection are yet to be established and inaccuracies of serological methods may be affecting this. We expect that with standardisation of serological testing and studies with longer follow-up, the implications of antibody waning will become clearer.


1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-L. Kolho ◽  
I. Huhtaniemi

ABSTRACT The acute and long-term effects of pituitary-testis suppression with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, d-Ser(But)6des-Gly10-GnRH N-ethylamide (buserelin; 0·02, 0·1, 1·0 or 10 mg/kg body weight per day s.c.) or antagonist, N-Ac-d-Nal(2)1,d-p-Cl-Phe2,d-Trp3,d-hArg(Et2)6,d-Ala10-GnRH (RS 68439; 2 mg/kg body weight per day s.c.) were studied in male rats treated on days 1–15 of life. The animals were killed on day 16 (acute effects) or as adults (130–160 days; long-term effects). Acutely, the lowest dose of the agonist decreased pituitary FSH content and testicular LH receptors, but with increasing doses pituitary and serum LH concentrations, intratesticular testosterone content and weights of testes were also suppressed (P< 0·05–0·01). No decrease was found in serum FSH or in weights of accessory sex organs even with the highest dose of the agonist, the latter finding indicating continuing secretion of androgens. The GnRH antagonist treatment suppressed pituitary LH and FSH contents and serum LH (P< 0·05–0·01) but, as with the agonist, serum FSH remained unaltered. Testicular testosterone and testis weights were decreased (P <0·01) but testicular LH receptors remained unchanged. Moreover, the seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weights were reduced, in contrast to the effects of the agonists. Pituitary LH and FSH contents had recovered in all adult rats treated neonatally with agonist and there was no effect on serum LH and testosterone concentrations or on fertility. In contrast, in adult rats treated neonatally with antagonist, weights of testis and accessory sex organs remained decreased (P <0·01–0·05) but hormone secretion from the pituitary and testis had returned to normal except that serum FSH was increased by 80% (P <0·01). Interestingly, 90% of the antagonist-treated animals were infertile. It is concluded that treatment with a GnRH agonist during the neonatal period does not have a chronic effect on pituitary-gonadal function. In contrast, GnRH antagonist treatment neonatally permanently inhibits the development of the testis and accessory sex organs and results in infertility. Interestingly, despite the decline of pituitary FSH neonatally, neither of the GnRH analogues was able to suppress serum FSH values and this differs from the concomitant changes in LH and from the effects of similar treatments in adult rats. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 83–91


Author(s):  
A.M. Pasquino ◽  
A. Albanese ◽  
M. Bozzola ◽  
G.E. Butler ◽  
F. Buzi ◽  
...  

AbstractIdiopathic short stature (ISS) is a term used to describe the status of children with short stature that cannot be attributed to a specific cause. Many children diagnosed as having ISS have partial GH insensitivity, which can result from disturbances at various points of the GH-IGF-I axis. Several clinical studies on spontaneous growth in ISS showed that adult height was almost in the range of target height. GH treatment led to adult height not significantly higher than the pretreatment predicted adult height in most reports. No metabolic side effects have been observed, even when the dose was higher than in GH deficiency. Manipulation of puberty with gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues reported by a few authors in a small number of children has shown conflicting results. Long-term psychological benefits of GH therapy for short normal children have not been demonstrated to date.


2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 285-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radoje Colovic ◽  
Nikica Grubor ◽  
Marjan Micev ◽  
Stojan Latincic ◽  
Slavko Matic ◽  
...  

Introduction. Actinomycosis of the caecum is a rare, but most frequently an abdominally localized disease. It often simulates inflammatory malignancy, rarely a periappendicular abscess or Chron's disease and is only exceptionally the cause of intestinal obstruction or bleeding. Case Outline. The authors present a 35-year-old woman with an intrauterine device which remained inserted for over three years, causing the development of pain, fever, vaginal secretion and bleeding that continued even after the device was removed. Ultrasonography showed a tumorous mass of irregular form located close to the uterus, which after a few months developed into a colliquation filled with pus requiring incision. Bacteriological examination failed to show actinomycosis. Due to the tumorous lesions involving the terminal ileum, appendix, caecum, ascending colon and omentum, a right hemicolectomy was performed. Based on histolopathological findings of the resected sample the diagnosis of actinomycosis was made. Therefore, after surgery the patient began treatment with antibiotics resulting in full recovery. Conclusion. Although rare, actinomycosis of the caecum should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of tumorous lesions of the caecoascending part of the colon, particularly if the tumour is associated with inflammation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 891-898
Author(s):  
M Schaub ◽  
T H Stadlbauer ◽  
A Chandraker ◽  
J P Vella ◽  
L A Turka ◽  
...  

Blocking CD28-B7 T cell costimulatory activation by the fusion protein CTLA4Ig prevents rejection and induces long-term graft acceptance in various experimental transplant models. There are reported differences in the efficacy of CTLA4Ig in renal and cardiac rodent allograft models, but it is not clear whether these are due to the strain or species differences investigated in the different studies reported. This study investigates the effect of blocking CD28-B7 T cell costimulation with murine CTLA4Ig in rat models of acute renal and cardiac allograft rejection models, using the same complete major histocompatibility complex-incompatible strain combination. A single injection of murine CTLA4Ig 2 d after engraftment was able to induce long-term graft acceptance (> 100 d) in 54% of Lewis rat recipients of Wistar-Furth kidneys. Transferring this protocol into the acute Wistar-Furth to Lewis heart allograft model resulted in a mean graft survival time of 24.7+/-16.9 d, and all grafts were ultimately rejected. Only concomitant injection of donor cells (4 x 10(7) splenocytes) plus a single injection of CTLA4Ig on the day of transplant could induce long-term graft acceptance in 50% of animals. In both the cardiac and renal transplant models, the thymus and spleen were required for induction of tolerance. The maintenance phase of tolerance, however, did not require an intact thymus but did require the presence of a spleen. These data have important clinical applicability because human studies with T cell costimulatory blockade are being planned.


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