AU588807B2 - Cu edta/ascorbic acid contraceptive - Google Patents
Cu edta/ascorbic acid contraceptiveInfo
- Publication number
- AU588807B2 AU588807B2 AU42917/85A AU4291785A AU588807B2 AU 588807 B2 AU588807 B2 AU 588807B2 AU 42917/85 A AU42917/85 A AU 42917/85A AU 4291785 A AU4291785 A AU 4291785A AU 588807 B2 AU588807 B2 AU 588807B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- preparation
- contraceptive
- cervical
- disc
- spermatozoa
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
- 230000002254 contraceptive effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 37
- 239000003433 contraceptive agent Substances 0.000 title claims description 36
- CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-JLAZNSOCSA-N Ascorbic acid Chemical compound OC[C@H](O)[C@H]1OC(=O)C(O)=C1O CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-JLAZNSOCSA-N 0.000 title claims description 17
- 229960005070 ascorbic acid Drugs 0.000 title claims description 8
- KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N EDTA Chemical compound OC(=O)CN(CC(O)=O)CCN(CC(O)=O)CC(O)=O KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title description 2
- 235000010323 ascorbic acid Nutrition 0.000 title 1
- 239000011668 ascorbic acid Substances 0.000 title 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 claims description 39
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- SQVRNKJHWKZAKO-UHFFFAOYSA-N beta-N-Acetyl-D-neuraminic acid Natural products CC(=O)NC1C(O)CC(O)(C(O)=O)OC1C(O)C(O)CO SQVRNKJHWKZAKO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 25
- SQVRNKJHWKZAKO-OQPLDHBCSA-N sialic acid Chemical compound CC(=O)N[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)C[C@@](O)(C(O)=O)OC1[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO SQVRNKJHWKZAKO-OQPLDHBCSA-N 0.000 claims description 25
- 210000003756 cervix mucus Anatomy 0.000 claims description 16
- 210000003850 cellular structure Anatomy 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000011118 polyvinyl acetate Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 229920002689 polyvinyl acetate Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 claims description 11
- 210000001215 vagina Anatomy 0.000 claims description 11
- 210000000582 semen Anatomy 0.000 claims description 10
- 108010044715 asialofetuin Proteins 0.000 claims description 9
- JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cu2+ Chemical compound [Cu+2] JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002211 L-ascorbic acid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 235000000069 L-ascorbic acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910021645 metal ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 102000005348 Neuraminidase Human genes 0.000 claims description 6
- 108010006232 Neuraminidase Proteins 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001431 copper ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 210000004996 female reproductive system Anatomy 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004720 fertilization Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000027758 ovulation cycle Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000009920 chelation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000003679 cervix uteri Anatomy 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 108010002913 Asialoglycoproteins Proteins 0.000 claims 2
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acetate Chemical compound CC([O-])=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims 1
- IOVGROKTTNBUGK-SJCJKPOMSA-N ritodrine Chemical compound N([C@@H](C)[C@H](O)C=1C=CC(O)=CC=1)CCC1=CC=C(O)C=C1 IOVGROKTTNBUGK-SJCJKPOMSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 210000003097 mucus Anatomy 0.000 description 24
- 241000282414 Homo sapiens Species 0.000 description 7
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000004681 ovum Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 108090000288 Glycoproteins Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 102000003886 Glycoproteins Human genes 0.000 description 2
- 125000002843 carboxylic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000015271 coagulation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005345 coagulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003054 hormonal effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002513 implantation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000004291 uterus Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000004340 zona pellucida Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 241000282693 Cercopithecidae Species 0.000 description 1
- SBJKKFFYIZUCET-JLAZNSOCSA-N Dehydro-L-ascorbic acid Chemical compound OC[C@H](O)[C@H]1OC(=O)C(=O)C1=O SBJKKFFYIZUCET-JLAZNSOCSA-N 0.000 description 1
- SBJKKFFYIZUCET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dehydroascorbic acid Natural products OCC(O)C1OC(=O)C(=O)C1=O SBJKKFFYIZUCET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000264877 Hippospongia communis Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282412 Homo Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010020400 Hostility Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- HPNSNYBUADCFDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N chromafenozide Chemical compound CC1=CC(C)=CC(C(=O)N(NC(=O)C=2C(=C3CCCOC3=CC=2)C)C(C)(C)C)=C1 HPNSNYBUADCFDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229940124558 contraceptive agent Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000001879 copper Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011615 dehydroascorbic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020960 dehydroascorbic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229960001484 edetic acid Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000002255 enzymatic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007903 gelatin capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000000509 infertility Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000535 infertility Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003821 menstrual periods Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100001078 no known side-effect Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940127234 oral contraceptive Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000003539 oral contraceptive agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003101 oviduct Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004994 reproductive system Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000001568 sexual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
- A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
- A61K9/0034—Urogenital system, e.g. vagina, uterus, cervix, penis, scrotum, urethra, bladder; Personal lubricants
- A61K9/0036—Devices retained in the vagina or cervix for a prolonged period, e.g. intravaginal rings, medicated tampons, medicated diaphragms
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F6/00—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor
- A61F6/06—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor for use by females
- A61F6/08—Pessaries, i.e. devices worn in the vagina to support the uterus, remedy a malposition or prevent conception, e.g. combined with devices protecting against contagion
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Reproductive Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
Description
Title: "CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS
THEREFORE" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1 ) Field of the Invention This invention relates to contraceptive methods for living animals (including human beings), contraceptive preparations suitable for the method, and delivery systems for the preparations. (2) Prior Art A report from the Royal College of General
Practitioners in 1981 stated hat evidence indicated women who had taken oral contraceptives had a 40% higher death rate than those who used other contracept¬ ive methods. The high mortality rate appeared to be mainly due to diseases in the circulatory system in the over 35 age group. These findings give cause for concern. Indeed, many women have returned to tradition¬ al contraceptive methods as a result of the publicity given to the use of hormonal contraceptives. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a contraceptive method which acts at the level of the vagina and/or the cervical canal.
It is a preferred object to provide contracept- ive preparations suitable for the method employing chemicals found naturally-occurring in the bodies of living animals.
It is a further preferred object to provide such preparations which appear to have no known or pre- dictable side effects and which are non-hormonal and which cause no known disturbance to the menstrual cycle.
It is a still further preferred object to provide such preparations which can be easily self- administered and which are only used in the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.
It is a still further preferred object to provide a simple, yet effective, delivery system for the preparations.
Human semen upon ejaculation undergoes coagul- ation and liquifaction. We have now established that the liquefaction of human seminal plasma is primarily the result of oxidation/reduction which is enhanced under acid conditions (as found in the vagina, which contains acids with a pH range of approximately 3 to 4). The possible mechanism appears to involve the chelation of copper by the terminal carboxylic acid groups of sialic acid between the glycoproteins which make up the seminal plasma coagulu . Liquefaction is achieved by the reduction of L-ascorbic acid and the oxidation of the chelated copper.
We have found that liquefaction may be prevented by the addition of excess copper to the seminal plasma. However, since copper undergoes oxidation readily in the presence of L-ascorbic acid, the use of iron (divalent/ trivalent) or other divalent/trivalent metal ions (e.g. calcium, zinc and manganese) may be more appropriate metal ions.
We have also found that the divalent/trivalent metal ions convert midcycle mucus (found at the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle) from women and bonnet monkeys into an impenetrable barrier for spermatozoa.
At the commencement of the menstrual cycle, it has been observed that the cerival mucus has a tight "honey-comb" or cellular structure (with a channel diameter of 2-6 m) which forms an impenetrable barrier to the spermatozoa. At midcycle, the cellular structure opens up and the diameter of the channels is in the range of '30-3^-m, allowing the spermatozoa to pass through the mucus into the cervical cavity. After mid- cycle, the cellular structure again contracts to a
channel diameter range of 4-6um.
It is believed that before and after midcycle, the cellular structure is tightly bound together by copper ions cross-linking the terminal carboxylic acid groups of the sialic acid found on the branches of the glycoprotein chains forming the mucus. At midcycle, it appears that the presence of the L-ascorbic acid breaks these bonds and the cellular structure opens up. These observations indicate that the closed cellular structure of the mucus, forming the impenetra¬ ble barrier, may be due to the chelation of the metal (e.g. copper) ions by the sialic acid of the mucus which is important for its structural integrity.
It has been established that in 40% of women with midcycle "hostile" mucus (i.e. mucus which immob¬ ilizes spermatozoa), the mucus is deficient in sialic acid. Reconstructing this mucus by the enzymatic addition of sialic acid removes the hostility. It appears that in such cases of infertility resulting from mucus deficient in sialic acid, that spermatozoal trans¬ ferable sialic acid is depleted. This is important because in the mouse, the transfer of spermatozoal sialic acid to the zona pellucida of the ova is a prelude to fertilization. Human spermatozoa are also capable of transferring sialic acid to an acceptor molecule such as asialofetuin. In addition, it appears that not all spermatozoa are able to transfer sialic acid, and for those that can, it is only in the order of 0.027 pM per 10 spermatozoa per hour. In contrast, "hostile" mucus may be deficient in sialic acid in the range of 10-227 pM per 100 mg of dry mucus (mucin).
The above suggests that the use of metal ions and/or asialogylcoproteins, such as asialofetuin, may be used for intravaginal and/or intracervical contra- ceptive methods.
As discussed above, semen upon disposition in the vagina undergoes coagulation and then lique¬ faction to allow spermatozoa to escape into the neck of the uterus (cervical canal). The prevention of seminal plasma liquefaction will result in spermatog- oal immobilization and then death due to the acidity of the vagina. The loss of spermatozoal transferable sialic acid, by supplying an acceptor molecule asialof¬ etuin, will prevent any spermatozoa that survive from transferring their sialic acid to the zona pellucida of the ova, which is required for fertilization. This provides a further method of vaginal contraception.
Similarly, as described above, spermatozoal transferable sialic acid may be depleted with asialofet- uin, and the midcycle mucus may also be converted to a impenetrable barrier for spermatozoa, to provide a method of cervical contraception.
In one aspect the present invention resides in a method of contraception for living animals (including human beings) including the step of introduc¬ ing a contraceptive preparation in an inert carrier into the vaginal and/or cervical regions of the female reprod uctive systems to cause the cervical mucus to form an impenetrable barrier to spermatozoa. Preferably the open cellular structure of the cervical mucus found at midcycle (i.e. the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle) is caused to become closed as found before and after the midcycle. (The term "clos cellular structure" shall indicate the cervical mucus in humans has a channel diameter in the range of e.g. -6^m and the 'term "open cellular structure" shall, indicate that the channel diameter is in the range of
In one preferred embodiment, the contraceptive preparation comprises divalent and/or trivalent metal
cations , including copper, iron, calcium, zinc and manganese and the change of the cellular structure of the cervical mucus is due to the chelation of the metal ions by the sialic acid of the cervical mucus. In another preferred embodiment, the contra¬ ceptive preparation comprises a chemical which removes sialic acid from the cervical mucus to render it "hostile" to the spermatozoa. A suitable chemical is the enzyme neuraminidase. In addition, the contraceptive preparations may have subsidiary contraceptive properties. For example, they may be spermotoxic, cause reformation of the seminal plasma to trap the spermatozoa in the vagina (leading to death of the spermatozoa due to the acidity of the vagina) and/or provide an acceptor for the transfer of spermatozoal sialic acid to prevent fertilization.
In a second aspect the present invention resides in a contraceptive preparation for use on living animals including the contraceptive preparations here- inbefore described in an inert carrier adapted to be introduced into the vaginal and/or cervical regions of the female reproductive systems.
In a third aspect the present invention resides in a delivery system for the contraceptive preparation.
The preparation may be applied e.g. in a foam, cream or gel; as a coating on condoms; by impregnation of vaginal/cervical inserts; by intracervical gelatin capsules or slow release intracervical capsules; or by implantation adjacent or into the cervical canal by a dispenser having a discharge nozzle adapted to engage the external os of the cervical canal.
The most preferred form of delivery is in the form of a cap or disc adapted to engage the external os of the cervical canal (and which may also engage the
vaginal wall), the cap or disc having a cellular structure to provide a matrix for the contraceptive preparation. A suitable material for the cap or disc is polyvinylacetate (PVA) which is inert and has a high absorptive and retention capacity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To enable the invention to be fully under¬ stood, a number of preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the PVA disc; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the PVA disc positioned in the vagina of the reproductive system of a human female.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, the disc 10 is formed of polyvinylacetate and is concave in slope with a central depression 11 surrounded by a peripheral rim 12. For use in human females, the disc may be 4-5cm in diameter and between 1-2cm thick, the disc being arranged as shown in FIG. 1 to engage the external os 13 of the cervix 14 ( and to preferably engage the adjacent wall 15 of the vagina 16). It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that any spermatozoa deposited in the vagina 16 by the male must pass through the disc 10 to enter the cervical canal 17 on their passage to the uterus 18 and fallopian tubes 19-
The PVA disc is an inert carrier with a high absorptive and retention capacity and the contraceptive compounds to be described are incorporated in the matrix provided by the disc and are activated by wetting with a small amount of water before the disc is implanted by the user using a finger. The spermatozoa and seminal plasma are absorbed by the disc and brought into contact
with the contraceptive preparation.
The disc will be implanted by the female e.g. upto 1 hour before sexual intercourse occurs. EXAMPLE I 200 mg of the copper salt of ethylenediamine- tetra-acetic acid (EDTACu) and 8θmg of L-ascorbic acid are contained within the PVA disc 10. The overall reaction is as follows : EDTACU++ + L-ascorbic acid < ? EDTACu+ + Cu+ + dehydro-ascorbic acid
+H-.0"1" from water in .cervical mucus and from wetted disc
C00~Cu++00C mucus
(closed structure) +
L-ascorbic acid —>dehydro-ascorbic + C00HH00C mucus acid (open structure)
C00~Cu++00C mucus (closed structure). The system generates copper ions within the matric of the PVA disc upon wetting prior to implantation. The copper ions complex the open structure mucus, in contact with the PVA disc, and will result in the closing of the mucus structure, preventing spermatozoal penetration. The copper ions are toxic to the spermatozoa and also cause reformation of the seminal plasma coagulum within the matrix of the disc. Thus the contraceptive action is three-fold, i.e.
(1) preventing spermatozoal penetration of the cervical mucus by changing the structure of the mucus;
(2) trapping the spermatozoa in the matrix of the disc by reformation of the coagulum; and
(3) the spermatoxic nature of the copper ions. EXAMPLE II 500 units of the enzyme neuraminidase is incorporated in
the matrix of the PVA disc. The neuraminidase removes the sialic acid from the- cervical mucus in contact with the disc and render it "hostile" to the spermatozoa. The loss of the sialic acid from the mucus closes its open cellular structure which prevents spermatozoal penetration and the spermatozoa transfers their sialic acid to the mucus. As the sialic acid is required by the spermatozoa to penetrate the ova to effect fertiliz¬ ation, any spermatozoa which do pass through the mucus will be incapable of fertilization. EXAMPLE III
Example I is modified by the addition of 200mg of asialofetuin to the PVA disc. The asialofetuin does not act on the mucus but provides an acceptor for the transfer of the spermatozoal sialic acid to prevent fertilization of the ovi by the spermatozoa. EXAMPLE IV
Example II is modified by the addition of the asialofetuin in the manner described in Example III. EXAMPLE V
The ETDACu and L-ascorbic acid of Example I and the neuraminidase of Example II are incorporated in the PVA disc to provide the different form of contra¬ ceptive action described above. EXAMPLE VI
Example V is modified by the addition of the asialofetuin of Example III.
It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the present invention provides a simple,* yet effective method of contraception at the midcycle of the menstrual period, which is the only time when conception can occur. The contraceptive preparations are non-toxic and have no known side effects and the use of the PVA disc as an inert carrier therefore produces a simple yet effective delivery system, where
the disc can be implanted just before intercourse takes place.
Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments and examples described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (28)
1. A method of contraception for living animals including the step of introducing a contraceptive preparation in an inert carrier into the vaginal and/or cervical regions of female reproductive systems to cause the cervical mucus to form an impenetrable barrier to spermatozoa.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: the contraceptive preparation causes the open cellular structure of the cervical mucus, which allows spermatozoa to enter the cervical canal at the midcycle of the menstrual cycle, to become closed and form the impenetrable barrier.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 wherein: the channel diameter of the closed cellular structure of the cervical mucus is less than the diameter of the spermatozoa.
4. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the contraceptive preparation comprises divalent and/or trivalent metal cations and the change in the cellular structure of the cervical mucus is due to the chelation of the metal ions by the sialic acid of the cervical mucus .
5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 wherein: the divalent and/or trivalent metal ions are selected from one or more of copper, iron, calcium, zinc and manganese.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein: the contraceptive preparation further includes L-ascorbic, acid.
7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the contraceptive preparation makes the cervical mucus "hostile" to the spermatozoa by removing sialic acid from the cervical mwcus.
8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 wherein: the contraceptive preparation is the enzyme neuraminidase.
9. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 and further including the steps of: introducing a contraceptive preparation which provides an acceptor for the spermatozoal sialic acid to prevent penetration and fertilization of ova by the spermatozoa.
10. A method as claimed in Claim 9 wherein: the contraceptive preparation is an asialogly- coprotein.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 wherein: the asialoglycoprotein is asialofetuin.
12. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 and further including the step of: introducing a contraceptive preparation which is a spermatoxin.
13- A method as claimed in Claim 12 wherein: the contraceptive preparation contains copper ions.
14. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to
13 and further including the step of: introducing a contraceptive preparation which reforms the coagulum of the seminal plasma to trap the spermatozoa in the coagulum to be killed by the acidity in the vaginal region.
15. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to
14 wherein: the inert carrier comprises a foam, cream or gel, a coating on a condom or a vaginal or cervical insert.
16. A method as claimed in Claim 15 wherein: the inert carrier comprises a cap or disc of cellular material providing a matrix to support the contra¬ ceptive preparation, the cap or disc engageable on the external os of the cervical canal.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 16 wherein: the cap or disc is engageable with the wall of the vagina adjacent the cervix.
18. A method as claimed in Claim 16 wherein: the cellular material is polyvinylacetate.
19. A contraceptive preparation for living animals to be introduced into the vaginal and/or cervical regions of female reproductive systems, the preparation including divalent and/or trivalent metal cation.
20. A preparation as claimed in Claim 19 wherein: the metal cations are selected from one or more of copper, iron, calcium, zinc and manganese.
21. A preparation as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20 and further including L-ascorbic acid.
22. A contraceptive preparation for living animals to be introduced into th-. vaginal and/or cervical regions of female reproductive systems, the preparation comprising neuraminidase.
23. A preparation as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 22 and further including an asialglycoprotein.
24. A preparation as claimed in Claim 23 wherein: the asialglycoprotein is asialofetuin.
25. A delivery system for a contraceptive preparat¬ ion for living animals to be introduced into the vaginal and or cervical regions of female reproductive systems , the delivery system including a cap or disc of cellular material providing a matrix to support a contraceptive preparation as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 24, the cap or disc being engageable with the external os of the cervical canal.
26. A delivery system as claimed in Claim 25 wherein: the cap or disc is engageable with the wall of the vagina adjacent the cervix.
27. A delivery system as claimed in Claim 25 or Claim 26 wherein: the cap or disc is formed of polyvinyl¬ acetate and has a central depression engageable by the cervical mucus.
28. A method of contraception for living animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples and the accompanying drawings.
29 - A contraceptive preparation for living animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples and the accompanying drawings. 30'. A delivery system for a contraceptive prepar¬ ation for living animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples and the accompany¬ ing drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU42917/85A AU588807B2 (en) | 1984-04-19 | 1985-04-17 | Cu edta/ascorbic acid contraceptive |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPG465884 | 1984-04-19 | ||
| AUPG4658 | 1984-04-19 | ||
| AU42917/85A AU588807B2 (en) | 1984-04-19 | 1985-04-17 | Cu edta/ascorbic acid contraceptive |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU4291785A AU4291785A (en) | 1985-11-15 |
| AU588807B2 true AU588807B2 (en) | 1989-09-28 |
Family
ID=25626183
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU42917/85A Ceased AU588807B2 (en) | 1984-04-19 | 1985-04-17 | Cu edta/ascorbic acid contraceptive |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU588807B2 (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3803308A (en) * | 1968-09-18 | 1974-04-09 | Searle & Co | Method of contraception with a soluble non-toxic copper or zinc compound |
| US4004006A (en) * | 1973-11-12 | 1977-01-18 | Albert Shulman | Contraceptive and antivenereal agents |
| US4040417A (en) * | 1970-12-01 | 1977-08-09 | G. D. Searle & Co. | Intrauterine device |
-
1985
- 1985-04-17 AU AU42917/85A patent/AU588807B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3803308A (en) * | 1968-09-18 | 1974-04-09 | Searle & Co | Method of contraception with a soluble non-toxic copper or zinc compound |
| US4040417A (en) * | 1970-12-01 | 1977-08-09 | G. D. Searle & Co. | Intrauterine device |
| US4004006A (en) * | 1973-11-12 | 1977-01-18 | Albert Shulman | Contraceptive and antivenereal agents |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4291785A (en) | 1985-11-15 |
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