A vaccination against hCG was also considered in the 1970s as a contraception method to avoid pregnancy in women (123, 124). The aim is to induce the secretion of antibodies that will bind hCG and block its activity, thus impeding pregnancy. Because an immunization with the whole dimeric hCG (alpha+beta-subunits) was raising antibodies not only against hCG but also against human LH (125), a special preparation of beta-hCG was made by processing it against heterologous anti-LH immunosorbents (124) and conjugating it to purified tetanus toxoid as an immunogenic carrier (123). This processed molecule was able to induce an immune response with antibodies specific to hCG. The antibodies produced were able to abrogate the binding of hCG to its receptor and its biological effects in in vivo bioassays. Moreover, the antibody titer declines over time, indicating that the vaccination is reversible (126). This vaccination system went through phase 1 clinical trials in several countries (India, Finland, Sweden, Chile and Brazil) under the International Committee on Contraception Research of Population Council. A slightly different preparation consisting of a dimer of hCG beta-subunit non-covalently associated with ovine LH alpha-subunit conjugated to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (127) underwent phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials in several centers in India. Eighty percent of treated patients generated sufficient antibody titer (>50 ng/ml) to be protected against pregnancy, and only one pregnancy was recorded over 1,124 cycles in fertile and sexually active women with an antibody titer higher than 50 ng/ml. After 12 years of inactivity on this project, Talwar and his collaborators are now working on a genetically engineered recombinant vaccine that is expected to go through clinical development in the next few years (128).”
“…… Antibodies Targeting hCG
Antibodies able to inhibit hCG activity were first described in 1980 (150). They were specific of the beta-subunit of hCG and did not cross react at all with other gonadotropins. Recently, one of these antibodies (mAb PIPP) was expressed recombinantly in tobacco leaves in different formats (scFv, diabody and entire antibody) and tested, after their extraction and purification, for their efficacy to neutralize hCG. The three formats of the same antibody were able to inhibit in vitro testosterone production induced by hCG in Leydig cells. In vivo, the entire mAb was able to block uterine weight gain in mouse model (151). These antibodies were envisaged as a contraception method by passive immunization in women, and were considered as a better method than active immunization where the response may be variable between patients, and a sufficient titer determined as the protective level of antibody was observed in 80% of the patients only. These anti-hCG antibodies have not entered a clinical development so far.”
Interesting that the current California childhood vaccine schedule includes 5 doses of “Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or Td)”. Even more so that they allow 5 doses of “Td” as an alternative when diphtheria is so rare in the US, and tetanus is not contagious and has a death rate of 1 in 100 million. They’re not even requiring the “P” which is pertussis and the only one of the three of real concern. This is very suspect to me. The first 3 shots of any Tetanus containing vax begin at 2 months old, 🤮 and are only 2 months apart and then the last two are minimum 12 months. Children MUST have one after the 7th birthday. In addition, this article /study says that adults only need Tetanus boosters every 30 years so why is it being recommended more often? (They are also being recommended during 27-36 weeks of pregnancy so baby is getting another dose with that shot.)
MamaD, these are fascinating points you are making. I will do some additional research and pass these questions on to others. I find it very disturbing the tetanus shot is part of the childhood vax schedule, knowing what I now know! Thank you for your informative res
“Active Immunization Against hCG
A vaccination against hCG was also considered in the 1970s as a contraception method to avoid pregnancy in women (123, 124). The aim is to induce the secretion of antibodies that will bind hCG and block its activity, thus impeding pregnancy. Because an immunization with the whole dimeric hCG (alpha+beta-subunits) was raising antibodies not only against hCG but also against human LH (125), a special preparation of beta-hCG was made by processing it against heterologous anti-LH immunosorbents (124) and conjugating it to purified tetanus toxoid as an immunogenic carrier (123). This processed molecule was able to induce an immune response with antibodies specific to hCG. The antibodies produced were able to abrogate the binding of hCG to its receptor and its biological effects in in vivo bioassays. Moreover, the antibody titer declines over time, indicating that the vaccination is reversible (126). This vaccination system went through phase 1 clinical trials in several countries (India, Finland, Sweden, Chile and Brazil) under the International Committee on Contraception Research of Population Council. A slightly different preparation consisting of a dimer of hCG beta-subunit non-covalently associated with ovine LH alpha-subunit conjugated to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (127) underwent phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials in several centers in India. Eighty percent of treated patients generated sufficient antibody titer (>50 ng/ml) to be protected against pregnancy, and only one pregnancy was recorded over 1,124 cycles in fertile and sexually active women with an antibody titer higher than 50 ng/ml. After 12 years of inactivity on this project, Talwar and his collaborators are now working on a genetically engineered recombinant vaccine that is expected to go through clinical development in the next few years (128).”
“…… Antibodies Targeting hCG
Antibodies able to inhibit hCG activity were first described in 1980 (150). They were specific of the beta-subunit of hCG and did not cross react at all with other gonadotropins. Recently, one of these antibodies (mAb PIPP) was expressed recombinantly in tobacco leaves in different formats (scFv, diabody and entire antibody) and tested, after their extraction and purification, for their efficacy to neutralize hCG. The three formats of the same antibody were able to inhibit in vitro testosterone production induced by hCG in Leydig cells. In vivo, the entire mAb was able to block uterine weight gain in mouse model (151). These antibodies were envisaged as a contraception method by passive immunization in women, and were considered as a better method than active immunization where the response may be variable between patients, and a sufficient titer determined as the protective level of antibody was observed in 80% of the patients only. These anti-hCG antibodies have not entered a clinical development so far.”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00015/full
Studies showing infertility due to hCG antibodies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11889150/
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/775171_5
Interesting that the current California childhood vaccine schedule includes 5 doses of “Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or Td)”. Even more so that they allow 5 doses of “Td” as an alternative when diphtheria is so rare in the US, and tetanus is not contagious and has a death rate of 1 in 100 million. They’re not even requiring the “P” which is pertussis and the only one of the three of real concern. This is very suspect to me. The first 3 shots of any Tetanus containing vax begin at 2 months old, 🤮 and are only 2 months apart and then the last two are minimum 12 months. Children MUST have one after the 7th birthday. In addition, this article /study says that adults only need Tetanus boosters every 30 years so why is it being recommended more often? (They are also being recommended during 27-36 weeks of pregnancy so baby is getting another dose with that shot.)
https://news.ohsu.edu/2016/03/22/study-shows-tetanus-shots-needed-every-30-years-not-every-10 . If the US Tetanus-containing-vaccines did include HcG, AND adults don’t really need a tetanus booster until age 30, it could explain a lot of infertility.
CA shots: https://eziz.org/assets/docs/IMM-231.pdf
MamaD, these are fascinating points you are making. I will do some additional research and pass these questions on to others. I find it very disturbing the tetanus shot is part of the childhood vax schedule, knowing what I now know! Thank you for your informative res
ponse!