| abstract |
A sperm immotility and anti-fertility agent is provided. The agent comprises coelomic fluid extract which is obtained from an Indian earthworm, Pheretima posthuma, belonging to the phylum, Annelida. The agent may further comprise pharmaceutically acceptable additives and can be in the form of a solution, gel, powder, capsules, tablets or cream. The agent is a non-steroid and also can be used externally. Upon further purification a protein can be isolated having a molecular weight of 20 kilodaltons. This protein is anionic and non-toxic and also is without hemolytic activity. Also the protein as well as the extract can provide 100% sperm immotility within 2 minutes. In addition, methods of isolation of an active factor of the coelomic fluid, determination of toxicity and hemolytic activity of the agent as well as preparing a sperm suspension from male rats and mice useful for bio-assay are disclosed. |