A Cocktail-Inspired Male Birth Control Strategy with Physical/Chemical Dual Contraceptive Effects and Remote Self-Cleared Properties

Abstract

Inspired by cocktails, we designed a medium term (2–20 weeks) male contraceptive strategy. Through a sequential injection process of four reagents (calcium alginate hydrogel, PEG-Au nanoparticles (PEG-AuNps), EDTA, and PEG-AuNps), physical clogging of the vas deferens and chemical inhibition of the sperm motility were realized simultaneously. The contraceptive period could be directly preset by adjusting the injection ratio of each reagent. More interesting, the embolism area could be readily dredged through a short-time noninvasive near-infrared irradiation. The present study offered an effective and reversible manner to fill the gap of current medium-term contraceptive strategy. In addition, the proposed in vivo pipeline plugging technology, with a flexible noninvasive self-cleared characteristic, might also provide a convenient and reliable strategy for some other biomedical engineering researches.

Recent progress in advanced biomaterials for long-acting reversible contraception

“…Recently, a new long-lasting contraceptive composite hydrogel system has been able to achieve both physical blockage and chemical inhibition of sperm motility in the vas deferens by sequential injection of calcium alginate hydrogel, PEG-Au nanoparticles (PEG-AuNps), and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) (Fig. 11 ) [ 29 ]. Sodium alginate, a natural macromolecular material with excellent biocompatibility, can be guided by GDL to form an injectable system with calcium-containing substances [ 28 ].…”

“…B in vitro stimulation of fertility recovery after Infrared ray irradiation. C sperm morphology analysis from vas deferens and HE staining from the cross-section of each the vasculature of three types of rats (Reprinted with permission from reference [ 29 ]. Copyright 2019 American Chemical Society) …”

Impending Contraceptives That Might Be a Positive Methodology Towards the Male Contraception

“…(stage 1) On acquiring radiation (stage 2), PEG-AuNPs liquefy into the fluid form and in the middle EDTA mix gradually with PEG solution than the hydrogel gets mix by EDTA (stage 3) and the clear off naturally (stage 4). It must be noticed that as PEG-AuNPs melt even on removing an infrared device, PEG-AuNPs would not solidify and reblock the vas deference again [39]. Further examination such as determining the behavior of an animal, vas deference anatomy, and with HE staining and color reaction in urine identify the melamine concentration are carried out.…”

Size‐Dependent Inhibition of Sperm Motility by Copper Particles as a Path toward Male Contraception

“…[42,43] However, all these methods involve intravenous administration and generate testicular hyperthermia, which might damage the testicles and permanently suppress the spermatogenesis process. [44,45] Besides a variety of catalytic applications, [46] copper micro-or nanoparticles are used as biocidal agents for the reduction and elimination of microbes. [47] In this manuscript, the contraceptive effect of copper microparticles on bovine spermatozoa is explored.…”