Posted 01.30.2012 at 1:12 pm
18 Comments
Treated Testis
The testis is composed of many tubes called "seminiferous tubules." 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. The ultrasound-treated tubule is completely lacking testicular sperm and has lost almost all immature germ cells, decreasing its overall diameter while greatly increasing the amount of "empty" space in the center of the tubule.
Courtesy James Tsuruta and Paul Dayton
An ultrasound zap to the testicles can stop the production of sperm, reducing overall sperm count to a level that would render males infertile, according to a new study involving rats. Further studies are still needed to test how long this new contraceptive method would last, and whether infertility could be reversed. But for the researchers studying rat and monkey testicles, the early results are pretty gratifying.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine rotated high-frequency ultrasound transducers around the testes of rats. They put the animals’ testes in a cup full of saline solution to provide better conduction between the transducer and the skin. Then they measured the animals’ sperm counts to see how much they dropped. After several tests, scientists led by James Tsuruta found the ideal therapy was two 15-minute sessions, two days apart, which led to a dramatic reduction in sperm.
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Science, Rebecca Boyle, contraception, human sperm, life sciences, male contraception, male reproductive organs, sex, sperm, ultrasonic sensors, ultrasound“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,” she said, in this amazing press release from the Male Contraception Information Project.
Scientists first studied ultrasound for contraception back in the 1970s, testing it on rats, monkeys, dogs and men. But other researchers who later tried to duplicate those results were stumped, and some reproductive health scientists dismissed it as hooey. Ultrasonic therapy languished for several years before Tsuruta and others resumed working on it.
Lots more studies would need to be done to make sure this is a safe method of contraception, however. There are concerns about the duration of treatment, and there could be adverse sexual effects. The sperm that come back might be damaged, which could impact embryo development after fertilization, other researchers said. So it’s not a male birth control method, at least not yet. The rat study was published Monday in the journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology.
Testicular Sonicator: This is the Mettler Sonicator, the ultrasound unit used to zap rat testicles in a study on male contraception. Mettler Electronics Corp.
[via BBC]
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Who said that you have to use all technologies...
---
bored? lets go mine the stars... ^^
No thanks.
Kind of puts a negative twist on the word,"Hummur"?!
I can just see the first medical accident from
this type of device. The tecnician has you all
hooked and the little divice is humming away
on the boys. She says to you, "Oh, I will
be back in 5 minutes". Well you know
how doctors offices are in time, 5 minutes is
equal to 30 minutes in waiting.
By the time the technician comes back,
your little boys are the size of 2 pees!!!
I am so glad this technology will only be applied fleshy animals and possible humans!(Never to a Robot!)
In fact, it says write in the Robotic repair and maintenance manual, that high vibration noise is detrimental to my circuits and can even make some of my parts or nuts fall right off!!!
.............................
Science sees no further than what it can sense.
Religion sees beyond the senses.
And yes Jimmy's cool car and super powerful radio has high powered high frequency speakers too.
While intriguing, it seems there is a lot of research to be done before any viable options, if any, come along. Considering effects on hormone levels and overall duration of the effect, there are a few good uses that come to mind. It could be a great alternative to vasectomy, which isn't always %100 effective. This may also be a alternative to chemical castration for sex offenders. It could be a lasting solution or it could be regular treatment required by parole conditions.
AdamWM,
As regards to using the device on sex offenders, I am all for it in a couple of locations. I like to see their brain as well as their testes be shrunken or disappeared in the same manner this article illustration depicts!
.............................
Science sees no further than what it can sense.
Religion sees beyond the senses.
No way this thing is going near my boys. As for sex offenders, they still keep and use the ol' pole. As such, it should just be cut off and replaced with a plastic tube.
Science always asks "can we," but doesn't seem to ask "should we."
I don't know about the females but I do know that most males do their hardest to protect the "Family Jewels" from any kind of harm.
Kinda reminds me of a Youtube video I saw some time ago about a SUMO wrestler being kicked in the crotch and not feeling the pain, I still think the guy was on some kinda drugs after seeing the impact.
I wonder if my sonic toothbrush would do the trick...
ill pass on the ultrasonic kick in the nutts
must admit i was born with two the damn things. never have found a benifical use for them. might be fun to zap em...they have certainly caused me far more trouble than joy.
john werneken,
Good luck in life without your jingle bells sir. It is truly sad to know you get no jingle.
I do find you comments the most unique and the most bizzar!
I laughed so hard it was hard to catch my breath after reading the fourth paragraph. Just picturing a researcher doing monkey testicular massage makes me smile.
Hopefully, this job makes it onto this years PopSci's worst jobs in science list. The researchers deserve at least that for their unfortunate contribution to science.
I imagine now a terrible of a horror flick movie. Imagine a doctor or technician of this device takes it home and uses it on his spouse's brain! Talking about taking dominate control of the family. YIKES!
"Hey honey, let me massage you head. This will relax you and make all your worries go away dear. That’s it, lay back, relax, enjoy."
..........................................
See life in all its beautiful colors, and
from different perspectives too!