AFRO-NETS> Researchers identify candidates to help speed up time to vasectomy success

[David Hock <DHock@fhi.org>]

Researchers identify candidates to help speed up time to vasectomy success
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Two chemicals already commonly used in the medical field also effec-
tively inhibit sperm function, a new study confirms. This makes them 
good candidates to both inhibit and help wash away residual sperm af-
ter a vasectomy, which could decrease the time between vasectomy and 
sterility. 

To identify potential irrigants of the vas deferens, or compounds 
used to inhibit and flush away the residual sperm, a small team of 
researchers from Family Health International and the CONRAD program 
at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, tested the 
ability of five different chemicals to inhibit sperm function. A 
chemical called diltiazem -- a calcium-channel blocker commonly used 
to treat high blood pressure and chest pain -- showed the most prom-
ise. After just 15 minutes, diltiazem killed about 85 percent of the 
sperm and completely inhibited all sperm motility and ability to 
penetrate cervical mucus. The second promising chemical is a common 
surgical dye called methylene blue. While it did not kill sperm as 
effectively as diltiazem, it completely inhibited sperm motility af-
ter two hours and completely blocked penetration of cervical mucus 
after only 15 minutes. 

Identification and evaluation of an effective vas irrigant might en-
able a man to become sterile immediately after vasectomy. But even 
with vas irrigation, some surgeons might still recommend the current 
three-month waiting period before confirming vasectomy success, be-
cause of the small chance that the two ends of the vas deferens sev-
ered during vasectomy will spontaneously reconnect. 
To read more, see:
http://www.fhi.org/en/gen/releases/newsrel6.html 

Wood BL, Doncel GF, Reddy PR, Sokal DC. Effect of diltiazem and me-
thylene blue on human sperm motility, viability and cervical mucus 
penetration: potential use as vas irrigants at the time of vasectomy. 
Contraception 2003;67(3):241-45.

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David Hock
Senior Information Projects Coordinator
Family Health International
mailto:dhock@fhi.org

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