Effect of intravasal copper on the fertility of rats

Abstract

Copper wire was inserted into the vas deferens and its effect of the reproductive system and fertility performance of rats was investigated. The copper wire was 100% effective as a contraceptive for up to 4 months if placed correctly, and resulted in decapitation of most of the spermatozoa. No differences between the rats with an intravasal copper wire and the sham-operated controls were found for the weights of the gonads and accessory sex glands or for protein, RNA, DNA and fructose concentrations. The intravasal copper device appears to be promising for the development of a long-term method for male contraception.

Copper Iontophoresis in Male Contraception

“…The results of the present study indicate that to achieve contraception, sufficient andrologia 14 (1982) (Setty et al -1972;Ahsan et al -1976) or seminal vesicles (Gilmore et al -1973) of rats, rabbits or hamster. But in the present study the physical effects of the wire itself or its puncturing into the peritoneal cavity resulting into adhesions and even injury to the vital organs of the body are avoided.…”

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With the increasing population, the control of fertility is a major problem. Intravasal devices like silk thread or copper wire have been tested in animals (Ahsan et al -1976;Sud and Chandra -1977). Though vasectomy has been widely publicised but due to the side effects, and problems in reversal it is popular in underdeveloped countries only (Leader et al -1974).

Various sclerosing agents have been tried in animals for control of fertility but these methods are also irreversible (Freeman and Coffee -1973;Setty et al -1972).

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“…Though vasectomy has been widely publicised but due to the side effects, and problems in reversal it is popular in underdeveloped countries only (Leader et al -1974).Various sclerosing agents have been tried in animals for control of fertility but these methods are also irreversible (Freeman and Coffee -1973;Setty et al -1972). Intravasal devices like silk thread or copper wire have been tested in animals (Ahsan et al -1976;Sud and Chandra -1977). The silk thread is not very effective and it is difficult to retain the copper wire in the vas deferens without complications for a longer period (Shahani et al -1975).…”

Effect of copper exposure on reproductive ability in the bank vole (Myodes glareolus)

“…In contraception experiments on mature male albino rats (Ahsan et al 1976) found no change in gland weight after implanting copper wires intravasally, and noted decapitation of most of the spermatozoa as one outcome of the procedure. In immature Wistar rats, (Chattopadhyay et al 2005) found that accessory sex organ weight significantly declined under treatment with 2000 ppm copper and that it increased in the 1000 ppm treatment reflecting an imbalance in the levels of hormones involved in stereidogenesis.…”

Ionized Copper as Contraceptive in Male Rhesus Monkey

“…Encouraging results have been reported by using intravasal copper wire as contraceptive (Ahsan et al -1976;Khatoon -1978). However, the method has liniitations because of displacement and or piercing the vasa-1 -walls.…”