KISS1 can be used as a novel target for developing a DNA immunocastration vaccine in ram lambs.
Han. Yanguo Y; Liu. Guiqiong G; Jiang. Xunping X; Ijaz. Nabeel N; Tesema. Birhanu B; Xie. Guangyue G
Key Findings
- Vaccination generated high‑titer anti‑KISS1 IgG antibodies in lambs.
- Treated lambs showed significantly reduced serum testosterone and smaller testicular size.
- Spermatogenesis was suppressed and sexual behaviors were markedly decreased.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, this study shows that blocking KISS1 can lower testosterone and suppress reproductive function in an animal model, suggesting a possible pathway for hormone modulation. However, the work used a DNA vaccine in sheep, so it is not a ready‑to‑use protocol for humans and would require extensive safety and efficacy testing before any practical application.
Summary
Scientists made a DNA vaccine that teaches a sheep's immune system to attack the KISS1 protein, which normally helps start puberty and keep fertility normal. The vaccinated lambs made strong anti‑KISS1 antibodies, had lower testosterone, smaller testes, and showed less sexual behavior compared to untreated lambs.
Abstract
KISS1 gene-encoding kisspeptins are critical for the onset of puberty and control of adult fertility. This study investigated whether KISS1 can be used as a novel target for immunocastration. Human KISS1 was fused with the HBsAg-S gene for constructing an antibiotic-free recombinant plasmid pKS-asd that coded for 31.168 kDa target fusion protein. Six male Hu sheep lambs were divided into two equal groups, treatment and control. The vaccine (1mg/ram lamb) prepared in saline solution was injected into lambs at weeks 0, 3 and 6 of the experiment, respectively. Vaccine efficacy was evaluated in terms of KISS1-specific IgG antibody response, serum testosterone levels, scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length and breadth, extent of testicular tissue damage, and sexual behaviour changes. The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titre in vaccinated animals was significantly higher than that in controls (p<0.05). In addition, vaccinated animals showed lower serum testosterone level, testicular weight and length and smaller scrotal circumference than those in controls (p<0.05). Spermatogenesis of seminiferous tubules in vaccinated animals was suppressed; sexual behaviours in vaccinated animals were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those in controls. In conclusion, the immunization against KISS1 in this DNA vaccine induced a strong antibody response and resulted in the suppression of gonadal function and sexual behaviour in animals, demonstrating that KISS1 can be used as a novel target for developing a DNA immunocastration vaccine.
Study Information
pubmed
2015
2015-01-04T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.12.054
28
40