Classifications

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  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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  • A61K38/21—Interferons [IFN]
  • A61K38/217—IFN-gamma
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  • A61K38/1841—Transforming growth factor [TGF]
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/191—Tumor necrosis factors [TNF], e.g. lymphotoxin [LT], i.e. TNF-beta
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  • A61K38/193—Colony stimulating factors [CSF]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/195—Chemokines, e.g. RANTES
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
  • A61K38/2006—IL-1
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
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  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
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• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
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• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
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  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/20—Interleukins [IL]
  • A61K38/2086—IL-13 to IL-16
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0034—Urogenital system, e.g. vagina, uterus, cervix, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder; Personal lubricants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61K9/0034—Urogenital system, e.g. vagina, uterus, cervix, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder; Personal lubricants
  • A61K9/0036—Devices retained in the vagina or cervix for a prolonged period, e.g. intravaginal rings, medicated tampons, medicated diaphragms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P15/00—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives
  • A61P15/04—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives for inducing labour or abortion; Uterotonics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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  • A61P15/00—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives
  • A61P15/08—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives for gonadal disorders or for enhancing fertility, e.g. inducers of ovulation or of spermatogenesis
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/475—Growth factors; Growth regulators
  • C07K14/495—Transforming growth factor [TGF]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons

Definitions

• the present invention relates to methods of and compositions for, improving the success rate of embryo implantation and the success rate of pregnancy in females, by providing an immunopermissive uterine environment prior to insemination or implantation of embryos.
• the methods of the present invention are used to make the uterus more receptive or less hostile to, for example, transferred embryos, sperm or other allografted tissue.
• the invention also includes inter alia compositions and formulations for use in the methods of the invention.
• the uterine environment which, if hostile/non-receptive, can be responsible for poor implantation rates of good quality embryos in human and animals alike. It is believed that an inadequately primed uterine environment may also be responsible for many cases of reproductive failure in terms of failed implantation and spontaneous abortion. Similarly, a failure in uterine priming is recognised in humans as being causative to pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and foetal growth restriction by preventing appropriate placental development.
• Genetically altered or modified animals provide valuable models for testing novel gene and drug therapies in vivo and are the main reason the numbers of animal experiments have been rising in the last decade.
• the use of genetically modified animals now represents over 50% of all scientific procedures on animals.
• the largest category of use is breeding (to produce genetically modified animals), with rodents accounting for almost 1.8 million procedures in the UK in 2012 alone, on a background trend for this number to increase annually.
• Embryo transfer in rodents underpins the development of transgenic approaches, re-derivation of specific strains and facilitates the transport of animal-lines across large distances. Typically, embryo transfer requires induction of pseudopregnancy in recipient females.
• mice are spontaneous ovulators and can become pseudopregnant following an estrus in which the female is mated with a genetically sterile male such as the T145H-Re strain (which is sterile due to a chromosomal translocation)obtainable from Harlan Laboratories Inc or a vasectomised male. Both sets of males ejaculate seminal plasma devoid of functional sperm.
• a genetically sterile male such as the T145H-Re strain (which is sterile due to a chromosomal translocation)obtainable from Harlan Laboratories Inc or a vasectomised male.
• Both sets of males ejaculate seminal plasma devoid of functional sperm.
• both genetically sterile and vasectomised mice are relatively costly. In the instance of vasectomised males, sterility cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective and needs testing for each male, while the production of genetically sterile males generates unwanted surplus females.
• pseudopregnancy can be induced by simulating the normal vaginal stimuli attained by mating with artificial mechanical stimulation, for example by a vibrating engraving tool (Kenney et al; J Reprod. Fert. 1977, 49, 305-309). It was found that the number and rate of intromissions were crucial influences on reproductive success (Diamond; Science, 1970, 169, 4, 995-997). Whilst this approach has seen some success in rats and mice mechanical stimulation had no effect on the induction of pseudopregnancy in the Golden Hamster (Diamond et al J. Reprod. Fert. 1968, 17, 165-168).
• compositions and methods of the present invention aims to improve the pregnancy rates in mammalian females in terms of positive pregnancies and/or increased litter number following artificial or natural insemination or following transplantation of fresh or frozen or otherwise preserved embryos.
• composition of matter comprising any one, two, three or four cytokines selected from the group comprising TNF- a, TGFp, Eotaxin and RANTES for use in improving pregnancy rates and/or for reducing maternal alloreactivity against seminal fluid/sperm or embryos or other allograft tissue and/or for providing an immunopermissive uterine environment in females prior to implantation of an embryo or prior to insemination.
• composition could therefore comprise TNF-a with one or more of TGFp, Eotaxin and RANTES or TGFp with one or more of Eotaxin and RANTES or Eotaxin and RANTES.
• the composition may comprise a combination of any two, three or four of the cytokines selected from the group comprising TNF-a, TGFp, Eotaxin and RANTES. It will be appreciated that the compositions of the present invention may therefore comprise a number of different combinations of 2 to 4 of the specified cytokines selected from the aforementioned list.
• the I L- 12 is either IL-12 p40 or IL-12p70.
• the MIP is either MIP-1a or MIP-1 b.
• the composition further comprises any one, two, three, four five or six additional cytokines selected from the group comprising IL-12, MCP-1 , MIP, IL-17, IL-9, and GM-CSF.
• the composition of the present invention may be, as an illustrative example, TNF-a with one or more of TGFp, Eotaxin and RANTES in addition to one or more of IL-12, MCP-1 , MIP, IL-17, IL-9 and GM-CSF. It is within the scope of the invention to provide a number of specific combinations of the specified cytokines for use in inducing a uterus to be more receptive or less hostile to transferred embryo, sperm or other allografted tissue.
• compositions of the present invention may include a variety of multiple cytokines as it is recognised that high concentrations of a specific cytokine in seminal fluid do not necessarily reflect their biological significance.
• the composition further includes any one or more of the additional cytokines selected from the group comprising IL-1a, I L-1 ⁇ , IL-1 ra, IL-2ra, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL10, 1 L-13, IL-15, IL-16, IL-18, FGF, G-CSF, IFN-a2, IFN- ⁇ , IP-10, PDGF, VEGF, CTACK, KC, GROa, HGF, ICAM-1 , LIF, MCP-3, M-CSF, MIF, MIG, ⁇ -NGF, SCF, SCGF- ⁇ , SDF-1a, TNF- ⁇ , TRAIL and VCAM-1.
• the additional cytokines selected from the group comprising IL-1a, I L-1 ⁇ , IL-1 ra, IL-2ra, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL
• compositions of the present invention are selected from the following cytokines:
• IL-12 IL-12, MCP-1 , MIP IL-17, IL-9, and GM-CSF and optionally a further additional cytokine selected from the group comprising;
• IL-1a IL- ⁇ ⁇ , IL-1 ra, IL-2ra, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL10, 1 L-13, IL-15, IL-16, IL-18, FGF, G-CSF, IFN-a2, IFN- ⁇ , IP-10, PDGF, VEGF, CTACK, KC, GROa, HGF, ICAM-1 , Leptin, LIF, MCP-3, M-CSF, MIF, MIG, ⁇ -NGF, SCF, SCGF- ⁇ , SDF-1 a, TNF- ⁇ , TRAIL VGEF and VCAM-1.
• compositions of the present invention can comprise minimally 2 and up to 41 cytokines or any number there between.
• G-CSF Granulocyte -colony stimulating factor
• GM-CSF Granulocyte macrophage -colony stimulating factor
• HGF Hepatocyte growth factor
• ICAM 1 Intercellular cell adhesion molecule
• VCAM-1 The present invention resides in harnessing the properties of seminal agents which promote uterine receptivity and in providing a chemicophysical alternative to vasectomised or otherwise sterile males, preferably in the form of a vaginal insert such as a pessary, gel, spray or allied to any other dissolvable carrier.
• the present invention advantageously, given that the demand for transgenic non-human animal models is set to rise further, provides an alternative to vasectomised or otherwise sterile males inducing pseudopregnancy and also advantageously reduces the number of females required by improving uterine receptivity to transferred embryos.
• the present invention advantageously obviates the need for vasectomised or otherwise sterile males given that their contribution solely relates to triggering the neuroendocrine and uterine inflammatory responses required to induce pseudopregnancy.
• a pharmaceutical composition as herein before described in the form of an intra-uterine device for improving pregnancy rates and/or for reducing maternal alloreactivity against seminal fluid/sperm or embryos or other allograft tissue and/or for providing an immunopermissive uterine environment in females prior to implantation of an embryo or prior to insemination.
• the female is mammalian and more preferably is human.
• the mammalian female is selected from the group comprising mouse, rat, rabbit, gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, primate (monkey, ape), canine, feline, porcine or any other laboratory animal or endangered species into which embryos are placed.
• the female is a mammal and more preferably still is a rare breed/species or a breed/species that is endangered.
• the female may be selected from the group comprising animals the orders of Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Cetacea, Chiroptera, Dermoptera, Edentata, Hyracoidae, Insectivora, Lagomorpha, Marsupialia, Perissodactyla, Pholidata, Pinnipedia, Primates, Proboscidea, Rodentia, Sirenia and Tubulidentata.
• the amount of any one of the cytokines present in the composition is released, from any one of its deliverable forms as described herein after, in situ either above or within their approximate physiological range found in seminal fluid.
• Cytokines are measured as pg/ml as the standardised recognised values in the art.
• the present invention resides in harnessing the properties of seminal agents, especially cytokines (which are protein modulators of the immune response and which promote uterine receptivity), by providing a chemicophysical formulation preferably in a form suitable for vaginal delivery for insertion into the female prior to mating/insemination or prior to implantation of embryos.
• the introduced formulation releases agents which enhance the receptivity of the uterine environment.
• the approach used in the present invention is to mimic the biochemical signalling mediated by seminal plasma by using a pessary-based, gel-based, solution-based, emulsion-based, powder-based or aerosol-based delivery system.
• Pessaries are already routinely used in an array of large domestic species (e.g. cattle) for the synchronisation of estrous cyclicity for embryo transfer/artificial insemination.
• large domestic species e.g. cattle
• no pessary has been used with the compositions of the present composition or for the specified function of promoting uterine receptivity and/or inducing a pseudopregnant state.
• the cytokines are recombinant. That is to say that they are made by genetically engineering a bacterium or other cell type using recombinant technology.
• the present invention provides compositions for females comprising recombinant cytokine preparations, typically in the form of a pessary placed in the vagina or an aerosol foam released in the vagina prior to insemination/embryo transfer in order to reduce maternal immune alloreactivity against sperm/embryos, thereby improving pregnancy rate/outcome.
• This mode of delivery as a strategy for improving endometrial receptivity is novel.
• the composition further includes adjuvants such as preservatives, antioxidants, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents.
• adjuvants such as preservatives, antioxidants, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents.
• Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol or phenol sorbic acid. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents such as sugars or sodium chloride, for example. It may also be beneficial to include waxes, water and co-solvents.
• the composition is in a form suitable for vaginal delivery such as a vaginal capsule, vaginal gel, vaginal tablet, vaginal powder, vaginal solution, vaginal pessary, vaginal cup, vaginal sponge or vaginal foam or spray.
• a vaginal capsule, vaginal gel, vaginal tablet, vaginal powder, vaginal solution, vaginal pessary, vaginal cup, vaginal sponge or vaginal foam or spray is in the form of a vaginal pessary.
• the vaginal formulation is dissolving or non-dissolving, degradable or non- degradable.
• the compositions of the present invention are prepared as a vaginal suppository, tablet, powder, bioadhesive tablet, capsule, microparticle, bioadhesive microparticle, microcapsule, microsphere, liposome, cream, lotion, foam, spray, film, ointment, solution, gel, or a sustained release gel, tablet or capsule, or a sustained release suppository administered to the vagina or incorporated into a vaginal device.
• compositions of the present invention are prepared for oral or rectal administration or as an enteric coated tablet for use in gastrointestinal tract delivery so that they may be absorbed from the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.
• the rationale for these modes of administration is that the mucosal immune system in the digestive system is linked to that of the reproductive tract. In this way, mucosal priming will occur, thereby facilitating embryo implantation, allograft/gamete/embryo tolerance, self-immunotolerance or tolerance of the endogenous/exogenous microflora of both the reproductive and digestive tracts.
• the compositions of the present invention are prepared as multiwalled, multicored, microencapsulated preparations.
• compositions for vaginal administration are preferably prepared by mixing the compositions of the present invention with suitable pharmaceutical ingredients or non- irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at room temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.
• suitable pharmaceutical ingredients or non- irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at room temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.
• suitable pharmaceutical ingredients or non- irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at room temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.
• a typical example of a vaginal pessary would include the active ingredients and the following excipients: medium chain tryglycerides and hard fat.
• the composition can be incorporated into an intravaginal device or a coating of such device, for example, a tampon or tampon-like device coating, or incorporated into a sponge, foam, strip, powder, pessary, or other material.
• Absorbent material or matrix of such devices may be impregnated with a composition of the present invention as a liquid solution, suspension lotion, powder, cream, microemulsions or suspension of liposomes, bioadhesive nanoparticles, or bioadhesive microparticles.
• the vaginal device is dissolving or non-dissolving, degradable or non-degradable.
• compositions further include a mucoadhesive agent, sorption promoter or penetration enhancer.
• the compositions of the present invention are delivered by transmucosal vaginal delivery and comprise contacting the vaginal mucosa with the compositions of the present invention.
• compositions for vaginal delivery are for rapid delivery, controlled delivery, continuous delivery or pulsed delivery.
• composition of the present invention will be formulated in one embodiment as a pessary with a slow wax melt or a fast wax melt to achieve continuous or rapid delivery respectively.
• composition of the invention will be formulated into a foam or gel with appropriate additives to permit controlled release.
• the composition of the present invention as a vaginal pessary, tablet, bioadhesive tablet, capsule, powder, microparticle, bioadhesive microparticle, that the coating will be abrasive.
• This is an appropriate modification to the deliverable composition, especially if the penis of the male of the species to be prepared for uterine receptivity has a rough epidermis, keratinous spines, etc.
• the inserted vaginal delivery vehicle it is desirable for the inserted vaginal delivery vehicle to have a rough outer coating similar to that as on the penis in order to elicit a maternal inflammatory response to improve penetration of the preparation into the mucosa, elicit an initial inflammatory response and aid generic neuroendocrine stimulation.
• the composition is in the form of a pessary.
• the pessary is suitably sized and shaped so as to be inserted into the vagina of the female.
• the pessary may have a solid core and an outer porous layer.
• Typical dimensions of a pessary for mice are overall diameter of 4 mm and a length of 7mm. The diameter and length of the pessary is dependent upon the size of the vagina of the species into which it is inserted, it is desirous that the pessary be sized and shaped so that when inserted into the vagina it is retained without discomfort.
• composition of the first aspect of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for improving pregnancy rates and/or reducing maternal alloreactivity against seminal fluid/sperm or embryos or other allograft tissue and/or for providing an immunopermissive uterine environment in females prior to implantation of an embryo or prior to insemination.
• a method of reducing maternal alloreactivity in a female against seminal fluid/sperm, embryos or other allograft (including existing microflora) comprising exposing the vaginal/gastrointestinal tract mucosa to a composition as hereinbefore described, the method comprising:
• a method of improving pregnancy rate or outcome in a female prior to insemination or implantation of an embryo comprising exposing the vaginal/gastrointestinal tract mucosa to a composition as hereinbefore described, the method comprising:
• steps (iii) and (iv) are performed simultaneously/close chronological sequence in the case of artificial or natural insemination.
• the methods of the invention uses a composition comprising recombinant cytokine-containing pessaries, gel, spray or foam placed in the vagina at the time of insemination/embryo transfer to reduce maternal immune alloreactivity against sperm/embryos/gametes and endogenous or exogenous microflora, thereby improving pregnancy rate.
• the number of doses and period between doses can be varied according to requirements and may vary depending on species or breed, super/ovulation status, seasonal effect, lactational status and number of previous failed pregnancies or previous inseminations or IVF treatments. It may also vary depending on maternal age and whether the female is primigravida.
• the methods of the invention when used for laboratory non-human animals further includes the step of synchronizing estrus in recipient females.
• kits of parts and optionally a set of written instructions therefore, the kit comprising a number of vaginal delivery vehicles containing the compositions of the invention and an apparatus for inserting said vaginal delivery vehicles into the vagina of the recipient female.
• Figure 1 shows the Bayesian mathematical modelling of cytokine networks in mouse seminal plasma.
• the nodes cytokines
• the nodes are colour-coded according to the conditional probability of corresponding mediator relative concentrations being high (green), low (red) or medium (white) concentration given the state(s) of their parent nodes (the bar charts adjacent to each node reflect underlying conditional probabilities of categorization into one of the three concentration bins from low on the left to high on the right) .
• the normalized concentration (low or high) determines the intensity of the node colour.
• Edges (causal connecting lines between nodes) represent causal directed interactions between nodes. These cytokines will interact with the maternal reproductive tract to induce immunopermissiveness to paternal antigens.
• Figure 2 shows the Bayesian mathematical modelling of cytokine networks in rat seminal plasma (details discussed above). Very high confidence level edges are coloured in red, based upon the confidence analysis of the Bayesian result (based on occurrence in >90% bootstrapping iterations).
• embryo is intended to include a blastula, blastocyst, fertilized ovum or an organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached a distinctively recognizable form that is to be implanted into a female recipient.
• the terms are used interchangeably.
• Reference herein to an "improved pregnancy rate" is intended to include a positive pregnancy outcome or improved perinatal survival or general viability following artificial insemination with processed semen or natural insemination or following transplantation of fresh or frozen or otherwise preserved embryos.
• pregnancy as used hereinafter is to be interpreted as encompassing a pregnancy resulting from natural or artificial insemination or following transplantation of a fresh or frozen or otherwise preserved embryo(s) and gametes.
• Reference herein to an "intra-uterine device" is intended to include any pessary-based, gel-based, solution-based, emulsion-based, powder-based or aerosol-based delivery system that is capable of delivering the compositions of the present invention into the vagina so as to permit the compositions of the present invention to have a pharmacological effect on the uterine environment.
• references herein to a "pessary” is intended as a means of delivery of the pharmaceutical substances of the present invention so that they are easily absorbed through the mucosal surfaces of the vagina, or intended to have action in the locality, for example against inflammation, or on the uterus.
• “Pharmaceutical ingredient” or “excipient” means a pharmacologically inactive pharmaceutically acceptable compound added to a mucoadhesive composition of the invention. The ingredient or excipient does not have any pharmacological properties.
• Rapid delivery means initial immediate rapid release and delivery of the components from the composition. The rapid delivery is typically followed by a time-dependent reduction in release of the components from the composition or device and delivery of the drug to the plasma/uterine wall tissues (or gastrointestinal tract, where appropriate).
• Controlled delivery means a release wherein the active agent is released from the material in a predesigned manner.
• the release of the active agent may be constant over a long period, it may be cyclic over a long period, or it may be triggered by the environment or other external events.
• Continuous delivery means continuous and uninterrupted release of the components from the formulation or device and delivering such components in a continuous manner. Continuous delivery may be preceded by the rapid delivery.
• Pulsed delivery means a release and delivery of the components in intermittent intervals. Such pulsed delivery may be provided, for example, by formulating the composition in individual layers interspaced with inactive layers of dissolvable coatings or by using different pharmaceutical ingredients.
• PBS phosphate buffered saline
• BSA bovine serum albumin
• cytokines interleukin (IL)-1a, ⁇ _-1 ⁇ , I L-2, I L-3, I L-4, I L-5, I L-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL- 12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-17, eotaxin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-y, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), monocytes chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 , macrophage inhibitory protein ( ⁇ )-1 ⁇ , ⁇ -1 ⁇ , regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a.
• IL interleukin
• ⁇ _-1 ⁇ I L-2, I L-3, I L-4, I L-5, I L-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL- 12 (p40), IL-12 (
• Table 2 below shows a variety of cytokines analyzed and measured in mouse seminal fluid. Eotaxin and RANTES appear to be the predominant cytokines present, with levels above 500pg/ml. IL-9, TNF-a and MIP-1a had levels above 100 pg/ml whereas several cytokines such as G-CSF and IFN- ⁇ had levels between 50-100 pg/ml and several others such as IL-13 and TGF- ⁇ had levels below 50 pg/ml. Table 2
• Table 3 below shows a variety of cytokines analyzed and measured in rat seminal fluid.
• RANTES appears to be the predominant cytokine present.
• GRO/KC had levels above 200pg/ml.
• IL-10 and IL-6 had levels above 100 pg/ml whereas several cytokines such as MCP-1 had levels between 50-100 pg/ml and several others such as IL-17 had levels below 50 pg/ml.
• Eotaxin and RANTES appear to be the predominant cytokines each being present in an amount of more than 500pg/ml (see Tables 1 and 2).
• the cytokines IL-1a, IL-6, IL-10, IL- 12 (p40), IL-12 (p70), GM-CSF and ⁇ -1 ⁇ were present at levels below 20pg/ml and cytokines ⁇ _-1 ⁇ , IL-9, 1 L-13, G-CSF, TNF-a, MCP-1 , KC, MIP-1a and IFN- ⁇ were present at levels above 20 and below 150 pg/ml.
• pessaries for laboratory animals was dictated principally by toxicity (in case of accidental ingestion), palatability (to dissuade ingestion) and impact on luminal pH (the bioactivity of certain cytokines is promoted by vaginal pH).
• the size and shape of the pessaries is largely determined by the species for which their use is intended. For example, pessaries of approximately 4mm in diameter are particularly suitable for mice since the size has been determined as appropriate for insertion without undue discomfort and is also of a suitable size to be retained in the vaginal vestibule. Larger laboratory animals or indeed larger breeds of mice may necessitate larger pessaries.
• Pessaries were made from laser-etched nylon at a setting of between 5-10 Watts, use of this technique makes it possible to manipulate porosity (which facilitates 'loading') and overall shape and dimensions. It is envisaged that pessaries will be provided in a range of sizes and that the stalks may be snapped off from a central holding unit for use as desired and that a range of different sizes of pessaries may be provided to the user. Pessaries are prepared for use by soaking them overnight in 500 ⁇ of 100 times the concentration of cytokine solution so as to load the pessaries with the necessary active agents to guarantee a seminal fluid like final concentration in the maternal reproductive tract.
• a pessary head is then removed from the stalk and inserted by means a suitable device directly into the mouse vagina.
• the pessary is then left in the mouse vagina for a period of time and then it is either removed at the time of embryo transfer when the animals are anaesthetised, or it self-dissolves or the pessary self ejects once the active ingredients have been absorbed.
• the above embodiment is only one example of a means of delivering the compositions of the present invention and that the pessary may be in the form of a slow or fast melt wax type formulation and that the method of delivering the compositions of the present invention may vary from species to species.
• the delivery means may also be in the form of a biodegradable product and for example, in humans a vaginal sponge may be a more convenient method of delivering the compositions.
• the full mix comprised IL-12 (P40), RANTES, Eotaxin, ⁇ -1 ⁇ , TNF- ⁇ , 1 L13, IFN- ⁇ , TGF- ⁇ , I L- 1 , IL-6, 1 L-12 (p70), MCP-1 , IL-10, IL-1a, IL-9, GM-CSF, KC, MIP-1 and GCSF.
• IL-12 (P40) was included due to its role as a major network ancestral parent (given the marked number of outgoing edges) and its putative causal control of multiple downstream mediators.
• RANTES and ⁇ -1 ⁇ were included as these were hub nodes (likely involved in multiple signalling integration based on the high number of incoming edges).
• the importance of MIP-1 signalling highlighted by the conservation of this hub node function across species where its function is likely analogous to that highlighted in the rat network ( Figure 2)
• IL-13 was included following a similar rationale and because it appeared the be the principal node fulfilling this function in the right hand side of the network main branch illustrated in Figure 1.
• TGF- ⁇ was included due to its purported potent immunomodulatory properties which temper the mating-induced inflammatory response.
• Mix 2 contained IL-12 (P40), RANTES, ⁇ -1 ⁇ , IL-13 and IFN- ⁇ .
• IL-12 P40
• RANTES RANTES
• ⁇ -1 ⁇ IL-13
• IFN- ⁇ IFN- ⁇
• Mix 3 contained RANTES, TNF-a and TGF- ⁇ for the reasons highlighted above - TNF-a was added given that it was the only terminal node of the network. Its likely key role is underscored by the fact that its terminal node position was consistent across both the mouse and rat, despite the difference in species and the change in some of the network nodes analysed. Its role in reproductive immunity is hotly debated but it is increasingly being recognised as a likely key player in triggering the early inflammatory response associated with this process. This selection was based on the mathematical modelling of cytokine networks in seminal plasma (see Figures 1 and 2). The full mix composition is based on the most extensive murine multiplex immunoassay-based analysis available for seminal plasma analysis.

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