Abstract
A non-hormonal, polymer-based contraceptive, given the name Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance (RISUG®) has been developed by our research group. It requires minimal surgical intervention and its action last for 8–10 years. RISUG® is composed of copolymer styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a particular formulation. This when injected into the lumen of vas deferens, causes a partial blockage of the vas with regular flow of functionally inactive cells. Previous studies have shown acrosome induction in the presence of RISUG®. Therefore, biochemical studies have been carried out to elucidate the reason underlying these observations. Significant alterations in the sperm membrane system have been observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) on exposure to the polyelectrolyte RISUG®. Time dependent increase in Ca2+ influx in presence of RISUG® has also been observed. This is followed by an increase in membrane fluidity which is an absolute requirement for capacitation thereby making spermatozoa ready for acrosome reaction. Significant alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (‡Ψm) has been observed which supports the ultrastructural observations of mitochondrial clustering in presence RISUG®. Further studies on lipid per oxidation have been carried out to show the loss of overall fertilizing potential of spermatozoa on treatment with this contraceptive.
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Kumar, S., Roy, S., Chaudhury, K., Ghosh, D., Guha, S.K. (2008). Biochemical and Ultrastructural Changes in Human Sperm Membrane System Associated with Polymeric Male Contraceptive-RISUG® . In: Abu Osman, N.A., Ibrahim, F., Wan Abas, W.A.B., Abdul Rahman, H.S., Ting, HN. (eds) 4th Kuala Lumpur International Conference on Biomedical Engineering 2008. IFMBE Proceedings, vol 21. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69139-6_76
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69139-6_76
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-69138-9
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