Effect of Inhibinα（1—32）Gene Immunization on the Follicular Development and Reproductive Hormones in Rats

A total of 40 rats, aged in 30 days, were divided into 4 groups and immunized (intramuscularlyinjection) with 0 μg(control), 15 μg (group 1), 25 μg (group 2) or 40 μg(group 3) of inhibin α(1-32) re-combinant expression plasmid pcINH in combination with liposome. Booster was given without liposome onday 20 after primary immunization. The results showed that 50%(13/26) rats were detected in positive anti-body against inhibin. However, the increase of immunization dosage and booster did not promote the ratio ofantibody positive rats. The number of matured follicles above 0.8 mm in diameter in the antibody positive ratswas 2.3 more than that in the negative rats (P＞0.05). The concentration of blood plasma FSH increased dis-tinctively on day 10 after primary immunization (P＜0.05), but no increase was observed after booster immu-nization. The 17-β-estradiol levels in blood plasma of rats between the positive and the negative groups had noremarkable differences (P＞0.05). These results suggested that recombinant inhibin expression plasmid couldstimulate animal body to produce antibody against inhibin.