National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

As part of its program to develop contraceptive tools to control populations of over- abundant wildlife species, the NWRC has developed a single-injection GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine, GonaCon™. GonaCon™ has been tested and shown to provide contraceptive effects lasting one-three years in many overabundant species, including white-tailed deer, domestic and feral pigs, bison, wild horses, cats, dogs and California ground squirrels.

The GnRH vaccine generally provided a longer-lasting contraceptive effect in females than in males, probably because the females’ demand for GnRH antibody is cyclic, in contrast to the males’ constant demand. GonaCon™ contains a GnRH peptide conjugated to KLH combined with AdjuVac™, an adjuvant also developed at NWRC.

The GnRH Vaccine Conjugate Design Developed at NWRC

A single-shot vaccine that provides a multi-year contraceptive effect requires: (1) optimization of the vaccine structural design, (2) optimization of the dose for each target species, (3) use of the best adjuvant available, and (4) development of a delivery system that will protect the injected antigen from rapid destruction by the animal’s immune system. Multiple-shot vaccines are much less demanding with regard to optimal vaccine design.

The design of the GnRH vaccine mimics the repetitive epitopes found in many pathogens. Pathogenic viruses and bacteria typically exhibit rigid, highly-organized, highly-repetitive protein epitopes. High epitope density in a highly-organized, repetitive arrangement is important in ß-cell responsiveness. Although ß cells are unresponsive to repetitive epitopes that are poorly organized, repetitive epitopes of proper spacing can stimulate multiple surface receptors of similar spacing. The repetitive epitope pattern permits a cross-linking activation of ß-cell receptors, providing an extremely strong, long-lasting immune response. Mimicry of the repetitive nature of pathogen epitopes is an important aspect of the KLH-GnRH conjugate design. The GnRH peptide, which is analogous to the repetitive epitope, was designed to ensure consistent alignment of the peptide when coupled to the KLH carrier.

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Project Goals and Objectives
Accomplishments
Publications
GonaCon™
GnRH Immunocontraception (Technical Discussion)
Adjuvant Development (Technical Discussion)
Conjugate Design (Technical Discussion)
Nicarbazin
Diazacon
PZP