title: Assessment of the anti-microbial agent C31G as a spermicide: comparison with nonoxynol-9.
abstract: The broad-spectrum anti-microbial agent, C31G, containing an equimolar mixture of n-dodecyl-dimethylamine-N-oxide (C12-N-O) and N-(n-dodecyl), N-dimethyl-glycine (C12-betaine), was tested for spermicidal activity in comparison with the currently used spermicide, nonoxynol-9 (N-9). The rate of sperm cell permeabilization by the spermicides, as assayed with the fluorescent probe, TO-PRO-1, increased as the cube of the C31G concentration, while the rate increase was linear with N-9 concentration. At 0.04%, the rate of sperm cell permeabilization with both spermicides is at the limit of rapid measurement. C31G diffuses through cervical mucus at a more rapid rate than does N-9. C31G has long been known to aid wound healing and reduce inflammation, whereas N-9 has been reported to induce vaginal irritation. C31G would, thus, seem to have the spermicidal efficacy, the broad range of anti-microbial activity, and the lack of inflammatory activity that is sought in the ideal vaginal spermicide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malamud
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Storey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001622:Betaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000009:adverse effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol; D001622:Betaine; C038360:C 31G