RISUG® as a male contraceptive: journey from bench to bedside
Open Access
- 13 February 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Basic and Clinical Andrology
- Vol. 30 (1), 1-12
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-020-0099-1
Abstract
Even after decades of research men still lack reliable and reversible contraceptive methods comparable to female methods of contraception. Traditional methods of male contraception present a high failure rate and also involve high risk both when used for contraception and for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Various chemical, hormonal, immunological, vas based and herbal methods of contraception have been examined by scientists world over during the past four decades. Among the possible lead approaches, exogenous hormonal contraception, either alone or in combination with progesterone or antiandrogen, is being viewed at low profile because of their insufficiency in inducing uniform suppression of spermatogenesis and steroid related long term complications. As an alternative to vasectomy, among various intravasal devices being examined, RISUG(R) (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance), a co-polymer of styrene and maleic anhydride offers long term contraception with safety, efficacy and it can be delivered by no-scalpel injection. Thus it is the only male contraceptive procedure currently under Phase- III Clinical Trial. The non-invasive reversal technique, successfully demonstrated in langur monkeys and functional reversal achieved with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in rats and rabbits with safety at F-1 generation (first filial generation) have projected RISUG(R) as a better alternative to vasectomy. In this narrative review we revisit the long journey of RISUG(R) beginning with formulation on a bench towards reaching the market as a safe and effective contraceptive method, discussing various milestones and roadblocks of this expedition awaiting the mandatory regulatory clearance from the Government of India. Successful completion of ongoing phase III clinical trials with demonstration of reversal in human volunteers will give an indigenously developed male contraceptive to the world.Funding Information
- Indian Council of Medical Research (5/10/11/2006-RHN)
- National Academy of Sciences (NAS/442/12/2016-17)
This publication has 69 references indexed in Scilit:
- Evaluation of genotoxicity in leukocytes and testis following intra-vasal contraception with RISUG and its reversal by DMSO and NaHCO3 in Wistar albino ratsReproductive Toxicology, 2013
- Sperm characteristics and teratology in rats following vas deferens occlusion with RISUG and its reversalInternational Journal of Andrology, 2009
- RISUG®: A potential candidate for the entry inhibitor group of antiretroviral drugsMedical Hypotheses, 2009
- Oxidative stress, sperm survival and fertility controlMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2006
- Drug Insight: recent advances in male hormonal contraceptionNature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006
- Recent developments in vasectomyBMJ, 2005
- Allergy to latex condomsAllergy, 1998
- Early and Late Long-Term Effects of Vasectomy on Serum Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone LevelsJournal of Urology, 1995