Production and characterisation of a monoclonal antibody to progesterone and its effect on fertility.

A monoclonal antibody reacting with progesterone has been raised by fusion of mouse myeloma cells (SP20) and splenocytes of BALB/c mice hyperimmunized with 4-pregnane 3,20 dione conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Association constant of this antibody for binding with progesterone was 0.22 x 10(9) l/mole. The antibody was highly specific for progesterone. A single ip injection of this antibody brought about an antifertility effect which is influenced by genotype. Antibody treatment brought about a significant decrease in the fetal weight and a slight decrease in the plasma progesterone levels. The antifertility effect could be reversed only up to day 3 by exogenous administration of progesterone.