Monoclonal antibodies to porcine zona pellucida antigens and their inhibitory effects on fertilization.

Five hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to porcine zona pellucida (ZP) were established. The immunoglobulin classes were IgG2a from hybridoma B11C8 and IgM from the other four. Using immunofluorescent staining, the Mab from B11C8 stained only porcine oocytes, the Mab from G10G5 stained oocytes of pigs and hamsters but Mabs from C6H1, D3H4, G10F9 stained oocytes of pigs, humans, hamsters, rats and mice. Mabs from B11C8 and G10F9 strongly blocked boar sperm binding to porcine ZP but other Mabs produced only slight blocking. However, no Mabs could block sperm penetration during in vitro fertilization (IVF) of hamster oocytes. When a goat antibody (IgG) to mouse serum gamma-globulin was applied after each Mab as a second antibody, only Mab from G10G5 impaired IVF of hamster oocytes.