An Ultrasound-Induced Self-Clearance Hydrogel for Male Reversible Contraception

Nearly half of pregnancies worldwide are unintended mainly due to failure of contraception, resulting in negative effects on women's health. Male contraception techniques, primarily condoms and vasectomy, play a crucial role in birth control, but cannot be both highly effective and reversible at the same time. Herein, an ultrasound (US)-induced self-clearance hydrogel capable of real-time monitoring is utilized for in situ injection into the vas deferens, enabling effective contraception and noninvasive recanalization whenever needed. The hydrogel is composed of (i) sodium alginate (SA) conjugated with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-cleavable thioketal (SA-tK), (ii) titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which can generate a specific level of ROS after US treatment, and (iii) calcium chloride (CaCl₂), which triggers the formation of the hydrogel. For contraception, the above mixture agents are one-time injected into the vas deferens, which can transform from liquid to hydrogel within 160 s, thereby significantly physically blocking the vas deferens and inhibiting movability of sperm. When fertility is needed, a noninvasive remedial ultrasound can make TiO₂ generate ROS, which cleaves SA-tK to destroy the network of the hydrogel. Owing to the recanalization, the refertility rate is restored to 100%. Meanwhile, diagnostic ultrasound (D-US, 22 MHz) can monitor the occlusion and recanalization process in real-time. In summary, the proposed hydrogel contraception can be a reliable, safe, and reversible male contraceptive strategy that addresses an unmet need for men to control their fertility.