Development of copper male contraceptive. Contribution of India
Skandhan, K.P.
Panminerva Medica 35(1): 52-56
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-0808 PMID: 8316405 Document Number: 333436
Indian researchers have contributed much to the understanding of copper's natural presence in the male reproductive system. They learned of copper's presence by using mass emission spectroscopy, direct couple plasma emission spectroscopy, and split ejaculation. They needed to learn at what level a copper male contraceptive should increase copper in semen. In terms of the processing method for atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), simple dilution of human seminal plasma is far more superior than is wet oxidation (p .001). The author and colleagues have conducted such studied in 18-35 year old males living in Ahmedabad and Surat, India. They have used a chemical method and AAS to measure copper levels. They found that the copper level in human seminal plasma had a wide range. The same researchers have also conducted studies to determine copper's role in male fertility. Their findings indicated that copper levels were lower in men with azoospermia (p .05) and higher in men with weak sperm (p .001-.05), but these levels were within the normal range. They suggested that copper immobilizes spermatozoa. Other Indian researchers implanted a copper wire in the vas deferens of rats and Rhesus monkeys. Many sperm below the wire were immobile and, thus, the animals were sterile. In some studies, azoospermia was achieved. The damage to tissues varied from none to proliferation and desquamation of epithelial cells. Other researchers introduced the copper wire outside the epididymis or medially in the scrotum with the results being the same. Copper iontophoresis (3-7m Amp for 3 minutes) in the vas deferens of rats, rabbits, and Rhesus monkeys induced sterility. The toxicity to tissues due to copper concerns all the researchers. The author suggested a slow delivery system to limit copper exposure to minimize copper toxicity. Studies in developing such a delivery system should examine the size of copper particles, period of action, a removable or biodegradable implant, and size and shape of the implant.