Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays

Barbara B. North; Mary B. Weitzel; Donald P. Waller; William X. Birch; Kenneth A. Feathergill; Lynn A. Birch; Christopher J. De Jonge; Gail S. Prins

doi:10.1111/andr.13110

journal article Open Access Oct 04, 2021

Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays

Barbara B. North

Mary B. Weitzel

Donald P. Waller

William X. Birch Kenneth A. Feathergill Lynn A. Birch

Christopher J. De Jonge

Gail S. Prins

Andrology Vol. 10 No. 2 pp. 367-376 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/andr.13110

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPolyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM) sodium salt is a promising multipurpose technology for prevention of both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. In preclinical studies, PPCM has demonstrated significant (1) antimicrobial activity against several important viral and bacterial pathogens and (2) contraceptive activity associated with premature acrosome loss.ObjectiveTo further evaluate a vaginal antimicrobial compound as a contraceptive agent in preclinical studies utilizing a repurposed hyaluronan binding assay (HBA).Materials and methodsSemen samples containing either neat semen or washed spermatozoa were treated with increasing concentrations of PPCM or calcium ionophore A23187 (positive control). Sperm inactivation was measured by two methods: (1) double acrosome staining (AS), and (2) a hyaluronan binding assay (HBA®). Percentage of inactivated sperm was compared between untreated control sperm and those treated with PPCM or A23187.ResultsPPCM had a significant (p < 0.05) and dose‐dependent effect on sperm inactivation in both assays, with HBA detecting a higher proportion of inactivated sperm than AS. PPCM did not affect sperm motility and exhibited equivalent responses in the neat and washed samples.DiscussionBoth HBA and AS confirmed that spermatozoa were rapidly inactivated at PPCM concentrations likely present in the vagina under actual use conditions and in a time‐frame comparable to in vivo migration of spermatozoa out of seminal plasma into cervical mucus.ConclusionPPCM vaginal gel may provide contraceptive protection as well as help with STI prevention. HBA may be a sensitive and much needed biomarker for sperm activity in future contraceptive development.

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Details

Published: Oct 04, 2021
Vol/Issue: 10(2)
Pages: 367-376
License: View

Authors

B

Barbara B. North

Yaso Therapeutics Inc. Frisco Texas USA

M

Mary B. Weitzel

Yaso Therapeutics Inc. Frisco Texas USA

D

Donald P. Waller

Yaso Therapeutics Inc. Frisco Texas USA; College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois USA

W

William X. Birch

Department of Urology College of Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois USA

K

Kenneth A. Feathergill

College of Pharmacy University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois USA

L

Lynn A. Birch

Department of Urology College of Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois USA

C

Christopher J. De Jonge

Department of Urology University of Minnesota Medical Center Minneapolis Minnesota USA

G

Gail S. Prins

Department of Urology College of Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois USA

Funding

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Award: R44 HD092206

Cite This Article

Barbara B. North, Mary B. Weitzel, Donald P. Waller, et al. (2021). Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays. Andrology, 10(2), 367-376. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13110

Evaluation of the novel vaginal contraceptive agent PPCM in preclinical studies using sperm hyaluronan binding and acrosome status assays

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