Current status of antifertility vaccines using gonadotropin immunogens

Immunological methods of birth control are being pursued by several routes. Leading this field are vaccines which may inhibit the function of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Vaccines using at least three different immunogens and a variety of formulations have been in clinical trials during 1986. In this article Vernon Stevens describes the background of the research in this field, outlines the clinical trials planned or underway to test early hCG vaccine formulations, and gives a personal view of the research still needed to achieve a safe and effective vaccine.