Recombinant GnRH6-kisspeptin-CRM197 vaccine inhibits reproductive function in male rats and dogs.
Zhu. Yanyun Y; Li. Mengxian M; Jiang. Xiangyang X; Fu. Dongyuan D; Pan. Zhihao Z; Wu. Zhuoya Z; Han. Kejian K; Liu. Ya Y; Li. Yunsheng Y; Yu. Tong T; Ji. Kaiyuan K; Peng. Mengling M; Liu. Hongmei H; Fang. Fugui F
Key Findings
- The vaccine induced strong anti‑GnRH and anti‑kisspeptin antibody responses in rats.
- Serum testosterone fell dramatically and testicular size and sperm production were reduced in rats.
- In dogs, testosterone dropped 40‑65% in some animals and four out of ten showed no sperm, but results were inconsistent across individuals.
Practical Outcomes
- While the study shows that blocking GnRH/kisspeptin can effectively suppress male reproductive function in animals, the vaccine is not ready for human use. For biohackers, it suggests that GnRH‑targeting approaches could lower testosterone, but safe, controllable protocols for people would require far more research and clinical testing.
Summary
A new vaccine that makes the body produce antibodies against GnRH and kisspeptin was tested in male rats and dogs. In rats it sharply lowered testosterone, shrank the testes and stopped sperm production. In dogs the response was mixed, with some showing big drops in testosterone and no sperm, while others changed little.
Abstract
Immunocastration vaccines, as an alternative to surgical castration, have gained prominence for improving meat quality in livestock by suppressing reproductive functions. Central to this process is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a pivotal regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis whose secretion is modulated by the upstream neuropeptide kisspeptin. Building upon this regulatory hierarchy, we developed a novel GnRH6-kisspeptin-CRM197 conjugate vaccine targeting both signals simultaneously. This study systematically evaluated the vaccine's effects: First, by assessing its inhibitory impact on testicular development, reproduction-related gene level and hormonal secretion in thirty male rats through ELISA, RT-qPCR and histological analyses; Second, by conducting translational validation through preliminary field trials in ten male dogs to determine its practical efficacy for non-surgical castration. In male rats, the vaccine significantly increased anti-GnRH and anti-kisspeptin antibodies (P < 0.01), reduced serum testosterone levels (P < 0.01), decreased testicular size (P < 0.01), and suppressed spermatogenesis, with fewer germ cells across developmental stages. Hypothalamic GPR54 and GnRH mRNA and pituitary FSHβ, LHβ, and GnRHR mRNA levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In male dogs, serum testosterone levels decreased by approximately 40-65 % in three immunized individuals, decreased slightly in two, and increased slightly in three. Four dogs showed complete absence of sperm, and four others showed markedly reduced sperm counts. These results indicate that the dual-target vaccine effectively suppresses reproductive function in rats and shows partial efficacy in dogs, supporting its potential as a non-surgical castration tool. Variability in canine responses highlights species-specific optimization needs.
Study Information
pubmed
2025
2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106501
55