Biological evaluation of a novel copper-containing composite for contraception.

Objective: To investigate the biocompatibility of a novel copper-containing composite to provide preclinical data for clinical application of intrauterine device (IUD) or intra-vas device (IVD).

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Setting: Good laboratory practices laboratories.

Initial studies on a novel filtering-type intra-vas device in male dogs.

Background: To relieve the side effects induced by the complete obstruction of the vas deferens, we created a filtering-type intra-vas device (IVD) which is made of materials composed of nano-SiO(2)-copper complex cross-linking polymer composites.

Study Design: Eight male beagle dogs were grouped into nonimplanted control group and IVD-implanted group. We tested the efficacy of the sperm filtering effect of the new IVD material for 12 months and examined the influence of the IVD materials on the cells of the vas deferens, epididymis and testis.