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A gel that has prevented astir each of 1 cardinal sperm getting past the cervix successful sheep could go an alternate to hormonal commencement power methods but without the broadside effects
Health 30 November 2022By Alice Klein
Sperm could beryllium stopped from reaching eggs by a vaginal gel Sebastian Kaulitzki/Alamy Stock Photo
A gel that is applied wrong the vagina has been shown to artifact sperm injected into pistillate sheep and whitethorn supply an alternate to hormonal contraceptives for people.
Hormone-based commencement power methods, similar the contraceptive pill and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), are highly effectual but tin origin broadside effects, including temper changes, reduced enactment drive, sore breasts, nausea and headaches.
Non-hormonal methods similar condoms, diaphragms and fertility tracking apps don’t person these broadside effects but thin to beryllium little reliable astatine preventing pregnancies.
Now, Ulrike Schimpf astatine KTH Royal Institute of Technology successful Sweden and her colleagues person developed a hormone-free vaginal gel that whitethorn enactment arsenic good arsenic hormonal contraceptives but without the broadside effects.
The gel contains chitosan, a biopolymer that is derived from fungus oregon crab shells. The chitosan forms cross-links with proteins that are secreted successful cervical mucus. This thickens the mucus truthful that it blocks sperm from getting past the cervix and into the fallopian tubes, wherever ovum fertilisation occurs.
The researchers utilized a syringe applicator to insert the gel towards the backs of the vaginas of sheep, which are akin to those successful humans. An hr later, they artificially inseminated each of the 8 sheep tested with 1 cardinal sperm.
The gel was recovered to dispersed passim the vagina and into the entranceway of the cervix. It formed an effectual barrier, with sperm managing to get past the cervix of lone 1 of the sheep successful the study, and successful that lawsuit it was conscionable 2 of the 1 cardinal swimmers.
Unlike chemic spermicides, which are different signifier of non-hormonal commencement control, the chitosan gel didn’t origin inflammation of the vaginal walls, which whitethorn marque it little irritating to use.
Schimpf and her colleagues are readying much studies successful sheep to trial whether the obstruction created by the gel stays intact during intersexual intercourse and prevents pregnancies.
Trials successful radical would besides beryllium needed to find however agelong earlier enactment the gel should beryllium inserted into the vagina and however agelong immoderate extortion would last.
Journal reference: Science Translational Medicine, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm2417
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