University of Virginia Health System

1983 Trinity College B.S. Biology
1988 Medical University of South Carolina PhD. Cell Biology

Research

One challenge for contraceptive vaccine development has been to identify suitable animal models in which to study the antigenicity, pathogenicity and contraceptive effects of candidate antigens. Most such studies have previously been done in rodents. The extrapolation of the results of these experiments to humans or other primates is questionable at best. Probable causes of immune intervention in humans are significantly different anatomically and endocronologically from rodents, and there are also species differences in the site of insemination. Thus, the Center is using non-human primates (Macaca fascularis) for this model while ensuring the health and welfare of these animals.

In addition, the Center is using the gene knockout approach to directly address the roles of selected sperm and egg molecules in the process of fertilization. Knockout mouse models have proven invaluable for understanding the biology of reproductive processes. Knockout models that increase our understanding of the biology of fertilization will in turn foster contraceptive development.

Here are some of the monkeys that assist me in my research:

1. Bagavant H., Kurth B., Tung KSK. Induction of experimental autoimmune ovarian inflammation in Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaca fascularis). Submitted, 2001.

2. McCauley T.C., Diekman A.B., Kurth B., Norton E.J., Klotz K.L. , Westbrook A., Rao A.J., Flickinger C.J., Herr J.C. Analysis of human sperm CD52 glycoform in primates: identification of an animal model for immunocontraceptive vaccine development. Submitted, 2001.

3. Lea I.A., Kurth B., and O'Rand M.G. 1998. The immune response to immunization with sperm antigens in the macaque oviduct. Biol. Reprod. 58: 794-800.

4. Kurth B., Weston C., Reddi P., Bryant D., Bhattacharya R., Flickinger C., Herr J.C. Oviductal antibody response to a defined recombinant sperm antigen in macaques. Biol. Reprod. 57: 981-989, 1997.

5. Kurth BE., Bryant D., Naaby-Hansen S., Reddi P.P., Weston C., Foley P., Bhattacharya R., Flickinger C.J., Herr J.C., Immunological response in the primate oviduct to a defined recombinant sperm immunogen. J. Reprod. Immunol. 35(2) : 135-150, 1997.