| abstract |
A cell permeable physiologically acceptable water soluble mineral salt of a carboxylic acid such as zinc acetate, calcium acetate, zinc gluconate and the like having a pH in the range of 6.0 to 7.5 capable of forming a stable solution under ambient conditions at pH 7.0 is bioavailably effective at inhibiting the generation, maturation, motility and viability of sperm when applied to sperm or developing sperm in the testis, epididymis or vas deferens of a male subject or the vagina, cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes of a female subject. When the subject is a male subject and the mineral salt is zinc gluconate or the like and is injected into the testis or epididymis, the stability and efficacy of the mineral salt at pH 7.0 is improved by the presence of an amino acid such as arginine which acts as a permeation enhancer. |