title: Preclinical evaluation of magainin-A as a contraceptive antimicrobial agent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and contraceptive efficacy of magainin-A in monkeys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Immunology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male and female bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata).
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were treated intravaginally with 1 mg of magainin-A before attempted conception, as well as daily for 14 days to assess local and systemic toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Suitability of magainin-A for the control of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete sperm immobilization was observed within 20 seconds after the exposure to magainin-A (800-1,000 microg) in vitro. Intravaginal administration of 1 mg of magainin-A blocked conception in monkeys. When magainin-A was administered intravaginally for 14 consecutive days, no treatment-related abnormalities were observed in menstrual cycle length, vaginal epithelial cell morphology, and hematologic/serum biochemical profiles. The peptide inhibited the growth of sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens but not HIV-1 and HIV-2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magainin-A can be used as an effective and safe intravaginal contraceptive compound with additional protection against sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Aranha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clara
authors.forename: Dhananjay D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Manjramkar
authors.forename: Venkatarami K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D008255:Macaca radiata; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; C067773:magainin A