Hope for plant-based contraceptive, study claims

Conclusion This laboratory study aimed to investigate a variety of steroid hormones and plant compounds to look at their effect on sperm activation and ability to fertilise an egg. The researchers confirmed that the hormone progesterone present in the female reproductive tract seems to be needed to activate sperm and make them able to fertilise an egg. The also found that two plant compounds, pristimerin and lupeol, were able to block the sites on the sperm that are activated by progesterone. This means these two compounds could have a potential contraceptive action. But it's far too early to say whether new contraceptives could become available as a result of this research. More laboratory research would be needed to show their potential to be safe and effective before considering trials in humans. For example, at the current stage it's not actually known whether these compounds would incapacitate all sperm and prevent them fertilising an egg. It's also unclear what method of exposure would be needed (like a pill, patch or vaginal ring) and whether the compounds have toxic side effects. Most potential new treatments identified at such an early experimental stage don't make it all the way to becoming licensed treatments available to the general public.  Find out more about contraception. Links To The Headlines Plant chemicals hope for 'alternative contraceptives'. BBC News, May 16 2017 Forget Plan B – try aloe vera, controversial study claims: Scientists insist pill...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Source Type: news