title: Safety studies of sperm agglutinating factor produced by Staphylococcus aureus as a vaginal contraceptive: in vivo studies.
abstract: Sperm agglutinating factor (SAF) isolated from Staphylococcus aureus when applied at concentration 10 μg before mating completely prevented conception in the mouse. The objective of the present study was to evaluate its safety, as safety is an important concern to be addressed before a compound is selected for contraceptive use. Our results showed that SAF has a very high safety profile. Vaginal application of SAF at 10 μg to the mouse for 14 consecutive days caused no systemic toxicity and vaginal irritation as indicated by lack of effect on organ weights and histology. Moreover, no adverse effect was observed on the subsequent reproductive capability, perinatal outcome and growth and development of the offspring. SAF (10 μg) did not irritate the skin or penile mucosa. Oral administration of 2 mg/kg body weight of SAF did not show any toxicity to reproductive and non-reproductive organs. Therefore, SAF with spermicidal activity and lack of toxicity may have the potential to become the active ingredient of a vaginal contraceptive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
authors.forename: Siftjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prabha
authors.forename: Kiranjeet
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaur
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013073:Sperm Agglutination; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D013089:Spermatocidal Agents