Scientists study "molecular condoms": or the best contraceptive methods at the moment
Release date: 2017-05-25
Beijing time on May 25th news, according to foreign media reports, this sounds like a perfect scientific breakthrough. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a contraceptive method that solves a variety of problems, not only for both sexes, but also without the side effects associated with hormones.
In a recently published paper, scientists show how the chemicals extracted from plants can make sperm lose their ability to penetrate into egg cells. In contrast, traditional methods of contraception primarily prevent sperm from contacting egg cells.
In order to reach the surface of the egg cell, the human sperm needs to swing the tail from side to side and swim 24,000 times the length of its body. When the sperm contacts the egg cell, it uses a spiral motion to drill the head into the zona pellucida structure that protects the outside of the egg. In order to successfully pass through the zona pellucida, the sperm pushes a large amount of calcium ions into the tail for a "last push".
Sperm has a unique ion channel called the “Catsper Channelâ€. When the sperm is close to the egg, the Catsper channel contacts the female progesterone (also known as lutein, an important progestogen), and its activity will increase dramatically. The researchers tested a variety of chemicals to find compounds that disrupted the spiral movement of sperm near the end of the journey. They found that lupeol and pristimerin had the best destructive effects.
These two compounds are taken from some herbs that humans have used for a long time. Lupinol is found in aloe vera, as well as in fruits and vegetables such as grapes, olives and cabbage. Flat plastic vine is relatively less common, mainly in a plant called Tripterygium wilfordii. This plant is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, but it has certain toxicity and should be used with caution.
The researchers found that both compounds can make sperm unable to respond naturally to progesterone. They refer to this method as a "molecular condom," and say the method is 10 times more effective than other contraceptive methods currently on the market. According to Wired, research team member Professor Polina Lishko plans to set up a company to provide a bipolar contraceptive. It is envisaged that this contraceptive may enter the body through a skin patch or vaginal ring, or even as an emergency contraceptive. There are still some controversies about the current emergency contraceptives on the market, mainly because they criticize these drugs and sometimes prevent fertilized eggs from being implanted in the uterus. In contrast, the new method makes the egg have no chance to become a fertilized egg at all.
Researchers say the biggest obstacle now facing this approach is manufacturing costs. These chemicals are low in plants, so the research team is looking for cheaper ways to get enough compounds. Drug trials on primates have begun and the results are expected to come out by the end of this year. If all goes well, the relevant human trials may be completed in the next few years. (任天)
Source: Sina Technology
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