The world has assume another tentative pace nigher to reversible malebirth controlthanks to a recent Master ’s graduate from South Africa . During her studies at Stellenbosch University , Kyla Raoult demonstrated the potentiality of using a non - hormonal hydrogel technology to reversibly block the passing of sperm through the vas deferens .

“ The hydrogel is project to stay in place until the patient want to restore fertility , ” Raoult excuse in astatement .

When injected – which Raoult enjoin could eventually be reach well and quickly in a doc ’s office – the gelatin is project to form a semi - permeable barrier within the vas deferens in under a minute . Pores within the gel permit seminal fluid to perish through usually but are too small for the sperm cells themselves . While the gel is in place , any sperm produced are re - absorbed into the body , in the same way as would happenafter a vasectomy .

The big difference compared with a vasectomy is that the gelatin could theoretically be dissolved easily to completely override the unconscious process .

“ By simply injecting a answer into the colloidal gel to reverse the procedure , the chemical bond in the gel are break , causing it to dissolve into a watery substance that can be flushed out . ”

The polymer that make up the gel have been shown to be safe for the body , and the intervention does not alterhormone levelsin any way .

“ This engineering science could help mankind reduce their fertility , without the usual side essence of endocrine blocker , and then reinstate it when they ’re quick to start a family , ” Raoult said .

She develop the hydrogel during her Master ’s studies in Polymer Science after being inspire to look for fornew contraceptives , since the vast bulk of methods on the market are still shoot for at female .

“ Men ’s options are mostly limited to rubber , vasectomies and some internal secretion - base methods . Condoms are n’t always 100 per centum effective and since they are get laid to decrease sexual stimulation , they are often used incorrectly , if used at all , ” said Raoult . “ Vasectomies are fantabulous contraceptives , but their reversal often results in complication , and they are more of a permanent choice . ”

“ The hormonal options are still being tested , and their effectualness has yet to be proven . They are also often affiliate with minus side consequence . So , there is a clear need for a reversible , non - hormonal male contraceptive equipment . ”

More research will be needed to confirm precisely how long the contraceptive effect lasts once the hydrogel is in place , and it ’s not yet possible to forebode when the engineering could be bestow to market place – it ’s still in the early stages of testing .

But there ’s someprecedentfor an approach like this . One example isADAMTM , a spermatozoan - duct - blocking hydrogel and delivery system being developed by medical equipment company Contraline , whichreportedearlier this year that ADAMTMdemonstrated 12 months of efficaciousness in a preliminary human trial .

Another standardised treatment calledRISUG ® (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance ) has attracted a lot of attending since it was grow a number of years ago . After some exit were identified in early run , anextended phase III clinical trialbegan in 2003 . However , the fact remains that no male birth ascendance drug has yet beenapprovedby the US Food and Drug Administration .

Raoult ’s supervisor , Professor Bert Klumperman , has been studying the polymer used in RISUG ® with the aim of improving efficaciousness and reversibility , and Raoult ’s new work builds on this .

It ’s been a verylong timesince a newmale - targeted contraceptivewas developed , a fact that can be shocking when you reckon other scientific breakthroughs that have happened much more lately . There ’s lots ofexcitingresearchhappening , but it has n’t yet translated to a more equitable prophylactic offering . The demand is certainly there – a late study inNaturefound that the bit of vasectomy consultations and procedures increased significantly in the US in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade .

This latest work is promising too , but we will still have to wait a footling longer to see reversible , non - hormonal male contraception become wide useable .