The 2000s unfeignedly have been a time of innovation . man have putrobots on Mars , speedily developedvaccinesfor a tantalise global pandemic , and bring ego - driving andflying carsto the marketplace . Yet , somehow , we still do n’t have viablemale contraceptivesapart from the trusty condom .
Well , researcher from Nantong University , China , are on the noble itinerary to change that . But it really does n’t sound pleasant .
In new enquiry published in the journalNano Letters , Ding et al . account a new method of male contraception take the injectant of magnetic nanomaterials , which are then help via magnets to the scrotum , where they induce the particles to apace hot up up the testes . The induced hyperthermy was enough to temporarily halt sperm cell production , and even shrink the testes for 30 to 60 days , before turn back back to normal . The research has only been performed inmiceso far .
While it sounds pretty terrific , induced mild hyperthermia does come along to show promise . Even lowly increases in temperature candecrease spermatozoan countin men , and the investigator go for to leverage this gist to block spermatogenesis ( the output of sperm ) . Therefore , the magnets softly heat the area to a toasty ( but still restrained ) 58 ° C ( 104 ° farad ) .
However , retrieve a nanoparticle that is magnetic , injectable , and non - toxic is no easy exploit . The researchers leant on exist studies that have used iron oxide nanoparticles , which are degradable in the body and can be guide by magnetic William Claude Dukenfield to their target area . After trying a few dissimilar variations , they found citric acid - coated nanoparticles to be the best for the Book of Job .
Of of course , the work must be analyzed cautiously – the answer are in mice , and it is never sure what will translate over to humans . It is also virtually impossible to estimate any pain sensation the mouse were in with accuracy , and this has restrain male contraceptives in the past . However , it for sure illuminates an interesting line of enquiry , as non - trespassing male preventive are urgently need .
