n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour: a potent spermicidal agent In Vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Espermicida y espermiostático: ¿hacen referencia a lo mismo? / Spermicide and spermiostatic: Is it the same?

Antecedentes: La literatura científica ha definido los espermicidas como agentes químicos que pueden inmovilizar y algunas veces matar los espermatozoides en la vagina, sin embargo estos términos se usan de forma arbitraria y no hay un consenso que defina si la palabra espermicida debe referirse exclusivamente a una sustancia que causa la muerte espermática o a sustancias que sólo causan la inmovilización espermática y no necesariamente la muerte. Objetivo: Especificar la definición más adecuada para las sustancias que ejercen un efecto sobre la movilidad o la viabilidad espermática. Método: Revisión de la literatura en distintas bases de datos utilizando los criterios de búsqueda "espermicida" y "espermiostático", con sus equivalentes en inglés. Se seleccionaron algunos reportes en inglés y en español de los últimos 31 años, se evaluó si hacen referencia a la inhibición de la movilidad o de la viabilidad de los espermatozoides. Resultado: Se encontró que algunos reportes refieren la muerte de los espermatozoides mientras que otros sólo a su inmovilización. Conclusión: Se propone que para lograr definir si algún compuesto, extracto o sustancia con efecto sobre los espermatozoides es un agente espermiostático o espermicida es necesario que se realicen evaluaciones tanto del efecto sobre la movilidad como de la viabilidad espermática...

Background: The literature has defined spermicides as chemical agents that immobilize and occasionally kill sperm cells in the vagina, however these terms are used arbitrarily and there is no consensus that defines whether the word spermicide must refer exclusively to a substance that kills sperm or substances that only cause sperm immobilization and not necessarily the cell death. Aim: To specify the most appropriate definition for substances those have an effect on sperm motility or viability. Method: We conducted a review of the literature in different databases using the search criteria "spermicide" and "espermiostátic". We selected some reports in English and Spanish for the last 31 years, and then we evaluated if they refer to the inhibition of the mobility or sperm viability. Results: We found that some reports relate the death of sperm cells while others only affect the sperm motility. Conclusion: We propose that in order to determine whether a compound or substance extract is a spermicidal or spermiostatic agent, is necessary to conduct tests of the effect on both motility and sperm viability...

Spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by density gradient centrifugation from 15 healthy men were incubated in the alcohol extracts from 9 different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul for 20 seconds, 2 minutes and 4 minutes. Then the motility and movement parameters of the sperm were detected by computer-assisted semen analysis, and the minimal effective concentrations of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the ratio of 3:1, the extract at 0.5 mg/ml significantly inhibited the sperm motility and other sperm movement parameters VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, WOB and MAD, as compared with the control group. The minimal effective concentration of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts was 3.5 mg/ml at 3:1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alcohol extracts from Sophora flavescens Ait and Chinese Bulbul at the ratio of 3:1 have the best spermicidal effect in vitro.</p>

Scientific evaluation of some plants with male contraceptive properties a review

Our modern world is facing different global challenges and rise in population is one of them. Reduction in population is necessary not only for making the life of people luxurious but also for the development of nations. World Health Organization is sponsoring many programmes to control the increasing population especially in the developing countries where the rate of increase in population is high enough? The concept of male contraception is new. Various scientific researches are going on to discover safe and suitable anti-fertility agents for males. Many agents like anti-androgens, progestin and estrogen have been discovered. Due to side effects [impotency and loss of libido] these are being avoided. There are many plants, which are being used in Unani Medicine for different purposes, have anti-spermatogenetic and spermtcidal effects. These plants may be proved as better option to the world. The present paper deals with a discussion on some medicinal plants having anti-fertility activities

Atomic force microscopy investigation of the denudation of the envelope of influenza virus treated with Nonidet P-40 / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Through observing the morphology and topography of the prepared influenza viruses (H1N1) treated with the different Nonidet P-40 solutions using atomic force microscopy (AFM), to explore the application of AFM on the research of the internal character of viral morphology and structural virology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The virus samples were treated with serial diluted Nonidet P-40 solutions from 0.05% to 0.20% and then investigated by AFM with the tapping mode in air at room temperature to obtain the morphology and topography changes including height data,amplitude data and phase data for both spherical and filamentous influenza virus A.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serial AFM images show that the erosion degree of the virions is proportional with the improvement of NP-40 concentration,and partly denuded virion image appeared at 0.05% NP-40 treatment, which was revealed clearly on both amplitude images and phase images.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This work demonstrated for the first time that the internal topography of influenza virion could be revealed by AFM via suitable nonionic surfactants chemical dissection.</p>

Knowledge; attitude and acceptability of spermicidal contraception among university students in Dar Es Salaam

"Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge; acceptability and attitude towards the use of spermicides among students of University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over four-month period among UDSM students. A random sample of students was recruited from all three university campus namely University College of Land and Architectural Studies (UCLAS); Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) and Mlimani Campus (MC). Questionnaires with both closed and open end-questions were used for data collection in which knowledge; attitude; and acceptability of spermicides were determined. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/PC+ version 10.0; 1999 computer package. Results: A total of 300 students participated in this study; out of which 154 (51.3) were females and 146 (48.7) males. Majority of the students 276 (92) had poor knowledge of spermicidal products; and out of these; 146 (53) were absolutely unable to describe the use of spermicides. Ninety-three percent of the students had never used spermicides. Of those who had never used spermicides; 84 (30) said because they used other contraceptive means; 50 (17.8) said they are expensive; 29 (10.3) attributed this to unavailability of the products; 3(1.1) to fear of ""contracting"" cancer and 13(4.6) to the unreliability. Furthermore; a few who had used them didn't trust the products as ideal means of contraception. Conclusion: The respondents had poor knowledge of spermicides. Spermicides were not accepted by the students because of the presumed side-effects; being very expensive and unreliable for contraception purpose. However; the respondents accepted spermicides usage as an ideal alternative to condom and effective means for a female-controlled method to prevent/reduce unwanted pregnancy and HIV risk. The study recommends that the Government/responsible authorities should encourage spermicides usage; particularly when coupled with microbicides; in reduction of unplanned pregnancies; sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV infection inclusive.). Only 185 (56.1) of all patients reported their willingness to disclose and a freedom to talk about the disease. Risk factors for cancer staging were sex; patient's education status; awareness and knowledge of disease symptoms. Conclusions: Interventions targeted to improve health care seeking behaviour among cancer patients need to include health education and sensitization specifically of cancer disease; establish a strong referral mechanisms at primary health level and to start a population cancer registry for monitoring and evaluation purposes."

Nonoxynol-9 vaginal pessary: a preliminary Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Barrier methods of contraception do not have systemic effects and allow the user complete control over their use. For women, the ease of use of a contraceptive is often more important than its efficacy. Hence, barrier methods could be offered as a useful alternative method of contraception. Nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide) is a locally acting, non-hormonal method free from systemic side-efforts. It is a woman-controlled, reversible method which is to be used before intercourse. There are little data available on its efficacy, side-effects and acceptability among Indian women. METHODS: The vaginal pessary nonoxynol-9 was offered as a contraceptive option to 3200 women attending the Family Planning clinics at 31 Human Reproduction Research Centres (HRRCs) of the Indian Council of Medical Research. The other contraceptives offered included an intrauterine device, oral pills, condoms, Norplant, tubal sterilization and vasectomy using the cafeteria approach. Those who accepted nonoxynol-9 were followed up to assess the rates of continuation, failure and side-effects. RESULTS: The nonoxynol-9 pessary was accepted by 541 women who were followed up for 3470 woman-months of use. The reasons given for acceptance were that it was user-controlled and/or they did not wish to use other methods because of the side-effects or contraindications of these methods. The overall continuation rates were 41.2% and 33% at 9 and 12 months of use, respectively. Most women (31.3%) discontinued its use due to personal reasons such as husband dissatisfaction, desire for further pregnancy, irregular use of pessary and difficulty in insertion. Twenty-nine women became pregnant during the study period (15 due to method failure and 14 due to user failure) giving a use-effectiveness of 8.8% at 12 months. The method failure rate was 4.3% at 12 months of use. The failure rates were lower compared with the reported failure rates of barrier contraceptives (1%-30% at 1 year of use) and the side-effects were minimal. CONCLUSION: Nonoxynol-9 had low acceptability (16.9%) and overall continuation rates--41.2% and 33% at 9 and 12 months of use. It could be offered to women looking for a short term, user-controlled contraceptive.

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 in combination with nonoxynol-9 in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 (JZ1) in combination with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) was examined in vitro. The minimum spermicidal concentration of JZ1 decoction, N-9 and their mixture solution in 20 s and 3 min were examined by improved spermicidal test of Sander-cramer in vitro. The percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa and viable spermatozoa were also observed 20 s, 3 min and 30 min after the addition of the liquid medicine. Our results showed that sperms did not recover their activities in a revival test when the minimum spermicidal concentration of either JZ1 decoction, or N-9, or the mixed solution of the two agents, was used. N-9 (JZ1 in the mixed group) showed significant differences in the percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa, and visible spermatozoa in 20 s, 3 min, and 30 min, when compared with N-9 alone (P < 0.01). We are led to conclude that JZ1 decoction can improve N-9 spermicidal action in vitro, and when used in combination with N-9, it has synergic effect.

Experimental research on tea saponin ameliorating nonoxynol spermicidal action in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of tea saponin in ameliorating nonoxynol(N-9) spermicidal action in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the improved spermicidal test method in vitro recommended by International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF), we evaluated the minimum spermicidal concentration of N-9, tea saponin and their mixed solution in 20 s and 3 min.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The minimum spermicidal concentration of N-9 in the mixed solution was (0.13 +/- 0.05) g/L in 20 s and (0.05 +/- 0.004) g/L in 3 min, and that of the tea saponin in the mixed solution was (2.40 +/- 1.07) g/L in 20 s and (1.27 +/- 0.38) g/L in 3 min, compared with the single ingredient N-9 [(0.48 +/- 0.15) g/L in 20 s, (0.34 +/- 0.079 g/L in 3 min], and tea saponin [(5.78 +/- 1.40) g/L in 20 s, (1.71 +/- 0.176) g/L in 3 min], P < 0.01.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tea saponin can improve N-9 spermicidal action in vitro, and tea saponin and nonoxynol have proved of synergic effect.</p>

Potentiation of spermicidal activity of 2',4'-dichlorobenzamil by lidocaine.

The present investigation was designed to study the spermicidal activity of lidocaine, a membrane stabilizer, and its combination with 2',4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride, a Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, on human semen and spermatozoa separated from semen. Both drugs per se produced dose- and time-dependent reduction in motility of ejaculated human sperm. Lidocaine was found to potentiate the spermicidal activity of benzamil resulting in significant decrease in time for producing complete loss of ejaculated sperm motility. Sperm revival test revealed irreversible loss of sperm viability indicating a spermicidal rather than spermiostatic action by both the drugs. Furthermore, both benzamil (10-40 mM) per se and benzamil-lidocaine combination (0.5 and 16 mM) produced contraception in rabbit model.

La infección por el virus del papiloma humano, un posible marcador biológico de comportamiento sexual en estudiantes universitarios / Human papillomavirus infection, a possible biological marker of sexual behavior among university students

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Human papillomavirus (HPV) among university students and to use it as a biological marker to assess sexual behavior. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between 2000 and 2001 among 194 students at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Mexico. A data collection instrument was applied and genital samples were taken to detect oncogenic HPV DNA. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and odds ratios. RESULTS: Overall HPV prevalence was 14.4. Women who had had two or more sexual partners during the previous year showed a greater risk of HPV infection (OR 6.0, 95 CI 1.7-21.1), as did women who had used oral contraceptives and spermicides at their latest intercourse (OR 3.0, 95 CI 1.0-8.7). Males who consumed cocaine were at a greater risk of HPV infection (OR 7.6, 95 CI 1.3-45.1). CONCLUSIONS: HPV prevalence is relatively high. HPV is a reliable biological marker of sexual behavior among females. A greater sample size may be needed to assess its reliability among men.

Practicability study on a group of vigilant chemical compounds including chlorheridine diacetate / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To test in vitro the spermatozocidine drug which can also prevent sex transmitting diseases (STD) pathogens.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chlorheridine diacetate and other three chemical compounds were applied in vitro spermatozocidine and sperm inhibitting tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lowest concentrations of chlorheridine diacetate and p-nitrophenol which can inhibit human sperm in 20 seconds were 1.25 mg/ml. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of chlorheridine diacetate and p-nitrophenol on Streptococcus albus Stemberg were 0.125 to 0.50 mg/ml and 0.25 to 1.00 mg/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Chlorheridine diacetate and p-uitrophenol have strong spermatozocidine and antibacteria effects.</p>

Spermicidal & contraceptive properties of Praneem polyherbal pessary.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Though a number of barrier methods and potent spermicides are available, most of these have nonoxynol-9 (N-9) as the active ingredient which is observed to cause inflammation and genital ulceration on repeated use. The present study was undertaken to develop a safe spermicide with conjoint microbicidal properties. METHODS: A polyherbal pessary was formulated with purified ingredients from neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, Sapindus mukerossi (pericarp of fruit) and Mentha citrata oil. Spermicidal action on human sperm was tested by Sander-Cramer slide test in vitro and by post coital tests in vivo. Contraceptive action was tested in rabbits. RESULTS: The combination of the three herbal ingredients resulted in the potentiation of the spermicidal action by 8-folds. The post coital tests confirmed the spermicidal properties of the Praneem polyherbal pessary (PPP) in women with high cervical mucous score around mid estrus. It also prevented in most women the migration of sperm into the cervical mucous. In 15 rabbits studied pregnancy was prevented by the intravaginal administration of PPP, whereas 13 of the 15 animals in the control group became pregnant. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The Praneem polyherbal pessary has potent spermicidal action on human sperm in vitro and in vivo. When applied in the vagina before mating, it prevented rabbits from becoming pregnant.

Studies on safety aspects of contraceptive Magainin-A in rabbits.

We have previously reported the contraceptive potential of Magainin-A in rats and rabbits under in vitro and in vivo condition. In this report we evaluated the effect of Magainin-A on the structural organisation of vaginal epithelium in rabbits. The effect of this compound on the erythrocytes and its rate of absorption and clearance from systemic circulation was also studied. The effective contraceptive dose of Magainin-A (1 mg) when administered intra-vaginally for five consecutive days did not induce any structural or morphological abnormalities in vaginal epithelial cells. No adverse effect was observed on the erythrocytes. The rate of Magainin-A absorption and clearance from the circulation was found to be rapid. These results suggest that Magainin-A may be used as a safe intra-vaginal contraceptive compound in future.

Effect of amino acids on inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase-X by gossypol

Gossypol acetic acid (GAA) has been shown to have male antifertility effects, but there are pronounced differences among animal species. In the search of endogenous effector molecules, which interfere with the functions of GAA, we have studied the in vitro effect of various amino acids on the inhibition of the purified LDH-X by GAA. Histidine, cysteine and glycine were shown to block the effect of GAA. The effects of these amino acids were concentration dependent. Histidine and glycine protection was found to be complex type in which both the Km and Vmax were decreased compared to control. Arginine, glutamic acid, phenylalanine and valine were found to be ineffective against the inhibitory action of GAA.

Effect of potash alum (aluminium potassium sulphate) on human semen and sperm.

25 normal and healthy human volunteers were engaged in this investigation. The different concentration of potash alum solution have different effects on sperm, motility/death and fructose level of the semen. Higher concentration have higher effects.