Based on a specific form of infertility in women, US researchers have conducted work on a new method of non-hormonal contraception. This technique is based on the ability of antibodies to neutralize sperm in some women.
Science is constantly looking for new methods of contraception. In 2019, for example, a US laboratory mentioned its research on a contraceptive gel without hormones. This product was a source of hope for women wishing to stop hormonal contraception because of its side effects. Other research points in the same direction, such as those published in the journal Science Translational Medicine August 11, 2021. A team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) has discussed a new method based on a specific form of infertility in women.
In some women, antibodies are able to detect and neutralize sperm. Indeed, their immune system targets these cells of foreign origin , which makes it impossible to conceive a child without medical assistance. If this sterility is a misfortune for some women, others could clearly benefit from it. And for good reason, the leaders of the study see it as an alternative to current contraceptives.
“ Many women are at risk of unwanted pregnancy due to medical contraindications or dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods, including real and perceived side effects associated with the use of exogenous hormones,” explain the researchers.
In their publication, the scientists explain that they have recovered these antibodies bearing the specific name of "sperm-binding monoclonal antibodies". They then added between 6 and 10 additional antigen-binding fragments universally present on human spermatozoa. Thus, the antibodies were shown to be 10 to 16 times more efficient in their ability to neutralize. However, this contraceptive has not yet been tested in women. The study is based on an injection of antibodies into the vagina of a sheep. However, the results are very promising:with 33 g of product, 99.9% of spermatozoa have been neutralized.
In case one day, this kind of contraceptive is recognized and why not democratized , many women could choose it. In the meantime, the researchers behind this project will have to test the effectiveness and tolerance of the antibodies in women. It will be a question of displaying results close to those obtained via experiments on sheep.
