Ding Yi, Jiang Xunping, Jing Haijing, Liu Guiqiong, Cheng Junjun
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
Theriogenology. 2023 Apr 15;201:68-75. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.008. Epub 2023 Feb 10.
RF-amide related peptides (RFRP) have been proposed as critical regulators of gonadotropin secretion in mammals. This study was designed to construct a DNA vaccine and investigate the effect of vaccine encoding RFRP-3 on reproduction physiology in ewe. A recombinant vaccine was constructed using two copies of the RFRP-3 gene and HBsAg-S that generate a fusion protein to induce an immunology response. Results showed this recombinant vaccine could produce a significant antibody titer in the treated animals (P < 0.05). The specific RFRP-3 antibody response induced by the vaccine was detected at week 2 with a peak at week 6 after the initial immunization. Furthermore, we found that ewes inoculated with pVAX-tPA-HBsAg-S-2RFRP-asd vaccine significantly raised the concentration of GnRH, LH and E in serum compared to the control group. LH and E2 concentration in the treated ewes (Group T) was significantly higher than that in control ewes (Group C) at weeks 10, 12 and 14 after the initial immunization, respectively (P < 0.05). Therefore, RFRP-3 can be used as a target for DNA immunization to promote reproductive hormone secretion in ewes and RFRP-3 gene immunization might be a candidate tool to regulate mammal reproduction.
