High levels of variability in immune response using antigens from two reproductive proteins in brushtail possums
Janine E. Deakin A D , Katherine Belov B , Natalie C. Curach C , Peter Green C and Desmond W. Cooper CA Comparative Genomics, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, GPO Box 475, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Evolutionary Biology Unit, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
C Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: janine.deakin@anu.edu.au
Wildlife Research 32(1) 1-6 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR03107
Submitted: 20 November 2003 Accepted: 21 January 2005 Published: 25 February 2005
Abstract
Immune-based fertility control is being considered as an effective long-term approach for controlling the pest brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) population in New Zealand. This relies heavily on the immune response of each immunised possum. A strong and lasting immune response in the majority of individuals in a population is essential. In this study, possums and the model macropod species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) were immunised with either a luteinising hormone or androgen receptor synthetic peptide coupled to the carrier molecule KLH (keyhole limpet haemocyanin). The antibody response of wallabies to the antigens was relatively uniform. In contrast, the possum immunoglobulin response to both synthetic peptides and KLH was variable. The apparent high level of variation in the immune response of possums raises questions about the feasibility of using these two antigens to control possum numbers in New Zealand.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the New Zealand government to D. W. C. We thank R. Claassens and S. McLeod for care of animals and animal handling. Thanks to R. Rawson for providing antiserum.
Belov, K. , Zenger, K. R. , Hellman, L. , and Cooper, D. W. (2002a). Echidna IgA supports mammalian unity and traditional Therian relationship. Mammalian Genome 13, 656–663.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Belov, K. , Hellman, L. , and Cooper, D. W. (2002b). Characterisation of echidna IgM provides insights into the time of divergence of extant mammals. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 26, 831–839.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Blazkovec, A. A. , and Orsini, M. W. (1976). Ontogenetic aspects of sexual dimorphism and the primary immune response to sheep erythrocytes in hamsters from prepuberty through senescence. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology 50, 55–67.
| PubMed |
Butler, C. , Shaw, G. , and Renfree, M. B. (1995). Delayed virilization of the reproductive system of the male tammar wallaby. Journal of Reproduction & Fertility, Abstract Series 15, 151.
Cooper, D. W. , and Herbert, C. A. (2001). Genetics, biotechnology and population management of over-abundant mammalian wildlife in Australia. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 13, 451–458.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cowan, P. E. (1996). Possum biocontrol: prospects for fertility regulation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 8, 655–660.
Croix, D. A. , Samples, N. K. , Vandeberg, J. L. , and Stone, W. H. (1989). Immune response of a marsupial (Monodelphis domestica) to sheep red blood cells. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 13, 73–78.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Deakin, J. E. , Harrison, G. A. , and Cooper, D. W. (1998). Androgen receptor as a potential target for immunosterilisation in the brushtail possum. Royal Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Series 45, 44–45.
D’Occhio, M. J. (1993). Immunological suppression of reproductive functions in male and female mammals. Animal Reproduction Science 33, 345–372.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duckworth, J. A. , Buddle, B. M. , and Scobie, S. (1998). Fertility of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) immunised against sperm. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 37, 125–138.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Gaur, A. , Arunan, K. , Singh, O. , and Talwar, G. P. (1990). Bypass by an alternate carrier of acquired unresponsiveness to hCG upon repeated immunisation with tetanus conjugated vaccine. International Immunology 2, 151–155.
| PubMed |
Harrison, G. A. , Deane, E. M. , and Cooper, D. W. (1998). cDNA cloning of luteinizing hormone subunits from brushtail possum and read kangaroo. Mammalian Genome 9, 638–642.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Jameson, B. A. , and Wolf, H. (1988). The antigenic index: a novel algorithm for predicting antigenic determinants. Computational and Applied Bioscience 4, 181–186.
Jurd, R. D. (1994). Not proper mammals – immunity in monotremes and marsupials. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 17, 41–52.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Kitchener, A. L. , Edds, L. M. , Molinia, F. C. , and Kay, D. J. (2002). Porcine zonae pellucidae immunization of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii): fertility and immune responses. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 14, 215–223.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lam, M. K.-P. , Hickoson, R. E. , Cowan, P. E. , and Cooper, D. W. (2000). A major histocompatibility (MHC) microsatellite locus in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Online Journal of Veterninary Research 4, 139–141.
Livingstone, P. G. (1991). Tuberculosis in New Zealand – current status and control policies. Surveillance 19, 14–18.
Lucas, J. C. , Renfree, M. B. , Shaw, G. , and Butler, C. M. (1997). The influence of the anti-androgen flutamide on early sexual differentiation of the marsupial male. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 109, 205–212.
| PubMed |
Magiafoglou, A. , Schiffer, M. , Hoffman, A. A. , and McKechnie, S. W. (2003). Immunocontraception for population control: will resistance evolve? Immunology and Cell Biology 81, 152–159.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
McKenzie, L. M. , and Cooper, D. W. (1994). Low MHC class II variability in a marsupial. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 6, 721–726.
Murdoch, W. J. (1994). Immunoregulation of mammalian fertility. Life Sciences 55, 1871–1886.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Nettles, V. F. (1997). Potential consequences and problems with wildlife contraceptives. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9, 137–143.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramsay, A. J. , and Ramshaw, I. A. (1997). Cytokine enhancement of immune responses important for immunocontraception. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9, 91–97.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Renfree, M. , O, W. S. , Short, R. V. , and Shaw, G. (1996). Sexual differentiation of the urogenital system of the fetal and neonatal tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii. Anatomy and Embryology 194, 111–134.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Rodger, J. C. (1997). Likely targets for immunocontraception in marsupials. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9, 131–136.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sad, S. , Talwar, G. P. , and Ragupathy, R. (1991). Influence of the genetic background and carrier protein on the antibody response to GnRH. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 19, 197–207.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Schwartz, R. H. (1986). Immune response (Ir) genes of the murine major histocompatibility complex. Advances in Immunology 38, 31–201.
| PubMed |
Shearer, M. H. , Robinson, E. S. , VandeBerg, J. L. , and Kennedy, R. C. (1995). Humoral immune response in a marsupial Monodelphis domestica: anti-isotypic and anti-idiotypic responses detected by species-specific monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin reagents. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 19, 237–246.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
Ullman, S. L. (1993). Differentiation of the gonads and initiation of the mammary gland and scrotum development in the brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia). Anatomy and Embryology 187, 475–484.
| PubMed |
Yadav, M. (1971). The transmission of antibodies across the gut of pouch-young marsupials. Immunology 21, 839–851.
| PubMed |
Young, L. , and Deane, E. (2003). Studying marsupial immune function. Today’s Life Science 15, 34–36.
