Testis-specific proteins and their role in contraceptive vaccine development.

Development of a vaccine(s) based on sperm antigens represents a promising approach for contraception. The utility of an antigen in immunocontraception is contingent upon its testis/sperm specificity and involvement in spermatogenesis and/or fertilization. The aim of the present article is to review the information regarding the proteins that have been reported to be testis/sperm-specific and may have an important function in spermatogenesis and/or fertilization. The potential role of these proteins in the development an antisperm contraceptive vaccine(s) is discussed.