Birth Control for Men? Zap Testicles With a Dose of Ultrasound Heat
- Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:33am by
Liz Klimas
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Has the answer to a quick, painless, reversible male contraceptive been in doctors’ offices and commercially available for decades? One study says yes.
Therapeutic ultrasounds machines, which are currently used to relieve injured joints with heat, according to the study by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill researchers, could someday be a viable form of contraceptives for men. According to the press release, the researchers were able to reduce sperm counts for a long period of time — two and a half months — in rats by giving the rodents’ testicles just two 15 minute doses of the ultrasound heat.
The seminiferous tubule on the left is from a testis that was not treated with ultrasound while the tubule on the right is from a testis that was treated with ultrasound. Note that the tubule from the control testis has many darkly stained germ cell nuclei. In contrast, the ultrasound-treated tubule is completely lacking testicular sperm and has lost almost all immature germ cells. (Photo: James Tsuruta/ Paul Dayton)
Here’s how the treatment works:
The best results came from undergoing two sessions, each consisting of 15 minutes of ultrasound, two days apart. During the sessions, the testes were placed in a cup of saline to provide conduction between the ultrasound transducer and skin.
The researchers were not able to continue their study for long enough to see when, or whether, fertility would return. But they knew it was effective: microscopic examination showed dramatic changes after just two weeks. Normally, testes are full of many layers of cells developing into sperm, but now the tubes of the testis were almost empty. “Sperm production is very robust; this ensures the survival of a species. It’s really difficult to find a way to turn off the production of sperm, but ultrasound seems to do the trick,” Dr. [James] Tsuruta [said]. “There is something special about heating with ultrasound — it caused 10-times lower sperm counts than just applying heat.”
This ultrasound unit was used in the rat study. (Image: NewMaleContraction.org)
A different set of researchers showed that this technique also worked in primates — and was reversible. Dr. Catherine VandeVoort from the University of California-Davis who led the primate study spoke about the slightly awkward research they had to conduct to see if it would work in the monkeys:
“The monkeys didn’t seem to mind the treatment a bit, but we were having a rough time of it. Thirty minutes of treatment three times a week is a lot of monkey testicular massage. We felt pretty silly, and it didn’t help when the techs would come around and wonder what kind of research we were doing! We were relieved when we finally saw an effect.”
A third set of researchers in Italy tested the technique on dogs in the hopes of permanent sterilization to reduce the stray dog population. The press release states that using five doses of the therapy on the dogs did achieve permanent sterility, leading researchers to consider this as an alternative to surgical vasectomies.
It also leads some to be cautious about using ultrasound as a temporary form of birth control: there is a risk for permanent sterilization; couples have no definite way knowing when sperm counts would come back up again; and there could be potential effects on sperm structure that could lead to a damaged embryo:
“This is an interesting development in a challenging indication,” says regulatory consultant Gary Gamerman of Seraphim Life Sciences. Though much remains to be done, there’s nothing inherent to the method that would make ultrasound dead in the water from a regulatory standpoint. “The only concern is proof of safety and durability of response. As long as it prevents fertile sperm, is overall safe and doesn’t cause secondary safety or adverse sexual effects, there wouldn’t necessarily be anything that would hold it back. You just have to do the studies.”
Clearly, more studies would need to be done before this is considered as a permanent or temporary form of contraceptive for men. But as New Male Contraception’s website states, “there is nothing preventing men from buying a $1,300 ultrasound machine online and trying it.”
[H/T Popular Science]
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Comments (88)
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:23am.
Oh Good Grief!!!! It’s SpankDaMonkey!!! Spank, Spank, Spank.!!!
No where did I say ZapDaMonkey………….
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:11pmThe monkeys obviously can‘t ’voice’ their concerns…let me tranlate for them, “Get your stinking paws off my b**ls you damn, dirty humans! And as for me, “Leave my nads alone you freakin’ barbarians, they never came with instructions to be heat-treated before use!”
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:16pmThat‘s what Peter Gabriel was singing about in the song ’Shock The Monkey’. I tell ya, he was a visionary!
Report Post »Atokaite
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:22amI heartily recc you all read and do some heavy research on the topic “Eugenics circa 1890 – 1970.
Report Post »This techniques was very popular in the early 20th century, sponsored by the Carnegie Institute.
It may well seem like a harmless, simplistic article, but the underlying “Eugenics” Theories and applications lie just such articles and methods.
FOLKS. Add this reference to the Abortion/Catholic discussion, add to the mix the Dept Of Education efforts to teach ANTI Christian ethics to the Kids in K-12, and we have the MIDDLE of the Iceberg of the regieme revivial of the 1930s….
The Chaldean Hand has written on the Oval Office wall. This regieme and the US Electorate have been found wanting.
Semper FI
end
I am 'We the People
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:56pmThank you, you are correct.
…and thank you for your service.
Report Post »Damn_Lucky
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:30pmAmen Brother!
Report Post »Sounds too easy to say ” I don’t know Sir” Let’s take a look………………….
Hey that’s warm nope I don’t see anything…………..Sorry
jamestoms
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:07amI nominate Obama to be the first test monkey :0)
Report Post »jamestoms
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:05amYes that makes sense micro wave your balls!!!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:55pmlol… exactly… how stupid ARE people, seriously?
Report Post »Muck Raker
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:03amBaked balls beget baby blockers.
Report Post »Cesium
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:38amshouldn’t this be considered abortion? each sperm cell is a potential human
Report Post »Cat
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:52amMore cost effective to walk around in tight jeans on a blistering hot day
Report Post »chnswstr
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:22amC’mon boys, don’t let anyone research male birth control. “Sorry, babe, I don’t have a condom” is good enough for you. Leave it all to the women to be hormonaly or surgicaly altered. After all, reproduction is only a female thing..
Report Post »deloclem
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 10:29pmThat’s such a s_e_x_i_s_t comment.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:15amUhm, I think not.
Report Post »DD313
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:10amComing soon to your local airport, TSA sterilization on the fly!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:09am.
Monkey Nuts in a cup? What the Hell is wrong with you people?……
“The monkeys didn’t seem to mind the treatment a bit, but we were having a rough time of it. Thirty minutes of treatment three times a week is a lot of monkey testicular massage.
Thirty minutes. three times a week of monkey testicular massage did you grow Hair on your palms?
Dr. Catherine VandeVoort from the University of California-Davis who led the primate study.
I knew it had to be a woman, that tricked that monkey into putting his nuts in a cup.
Report Post »Tradman
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:16amDude, I’m still laughing at your comment(s). Too funny. And truly “LOL” here in the office.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:42pmI actually did LOL.
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:49amDuring the sessions, the testes were placed in a cup of saline to provide conduction between the ultrasound transducer and skin.
Holy crap, those rats must have had some big nuts to be able to put them in a cup…No thank you, not gonna do it!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:34amA friend mine wanted kids but for some reason could not after years of trying. I told him to stop taking hot baths and take a cold one…Their kid is 30 now…All my fault that we have a highly decorated Staff Seargant in the world I guess…I will take the blame for his daughter too…a Veterinarian.
How many good people have the Liberals killed in the womb?
Report Post »liberalescheisskopf
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 3:48pmAbout as many as were flushed down the toilet….
Report Post »Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:53amThere’s a Family Guy episode just waiting to be made from this story.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 10:00amI haven‘t watch that in years seth mcFarland’s ideology just spewd all through that show rendering it unwatchable to me.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:50amSARCASM: Zapping testicles with low-grade radiation…what could POSSIBLY go wrong?
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:06amUltrasound is not radiation.
Report Post »BlackMesa
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:00pmra·di·a·tion noun \ˌrā-dē-ˈā-shən\ Definition of RADIATION
1a : the action or process of radiating b : the process of emitting radiant energy in the form of waves or particles c (1) : the combined processes of emission, transmission, and absorption of radiant energy (2) : the transfer of heat by radiation — compare conduction, convection
Yes it is, but it is not ionizing radiation.
Report Post »Defiant530
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:26amLiberals first please……
Report Post »minuteman912
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:50amLiberals First…..Im sure it won’t be a problem…Just look at the occupy walls street bunch…
Report Post »Polarized America
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:26amThis is Nut’s
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:09amNuking mice and monkey testicles. Where did the researchers get the money for this? I‘ll bet it wasn’t from the stimulus package.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:15amBaking a guys jumblies?…..its obvious, that such an evil concept could have only come from one place…..my ex-wife.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:56amChestnuts roasted by the ultrasound…
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:28amVery catchy tune….Kinda Christmasy.
Report Post »May Clark
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:36amFrightful and outrageous. No one should participate in this!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:17amSounds too iffy to me. Too easy to have an unexpected pregnancy since they can’t predict when your swimmers will return in all their egg busting glory.
I got a vasectomy. Not a big deal. Got snipped and soldered on Friday, took a three day weekend off work. Drove a couple hundred miles with a cup of ice between my legs to do some visiting. Then went back to working derricks on a well service rig and was back in the saddle again in no time.
Report Post »They say that if the operation isn’t done right, there is the possibility of shooting a loaded gun without knowing it. But I haven’t had that problem. I have been shooting blanks for about 22yrs now. And it can be reversed……….but that ain’t going to happen. Hasn’t slowed me down either.
(that may have been too much info right there, sorry)
Better Dead Than Red
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:45amsucks to be you!
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:19amI feel sorry for the research rats in this study. Chestnuts roasting on an opened fire…..oh no!
Report Post »db321
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:51amI’m going to do what? – to my what? – I don’t think so!
Report Post »Thomas
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:00amI wonder how long it will be before the government starts forcing men to become eunuchs?
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:07amWhat’s wrong with condoms? Is this Planned Parenthood working on a plan to sterilize “undesirables” again?
Report Post »DianneM
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:42amDon’t ever kid yourself, they are always looking for a way to not only do that but make a profit from it.
Report Post »EchoHawk
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:53pmAnd here we were lead to believe conservatives were capitalist.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:04amSorry, just not interested in micowaving my nards …
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:10amHaving gone the other route… (Family jewels) smashed, stretched, kicked and finally castrated by the US Divorce/Family court system, I would gladly give this a shot.
However having had such a wonderful experience with my ex-wife… I just got them cut…
And I’m Glad I did!
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:56am“…couples have no definite way knowing when sperm counts would come back up again; and there could be potential effects on sperm structure that could lead to a damaged embryo…”…..ok, thanks, too risky, let‘s move on and leave it to the monkeys since they don’t mind a bit.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:43amHeat lowering sperm counts. Not exactly revolutionary info.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:57pmoh it’s SOOO revolutionary. scientists “thought” of it… LOL…. these people are a joke and they prove it more and more everyday.
Report Post »