Okra Mucilage Cervical Fluid Substitute for Selective Sperm Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an artificial cervical fluid (CF) with properties similar to natural human CF, particularly during ovulation, for applications such as sperm motility testing, sperm separation, and antiviral protection, as natural CF is difficult to collect in large volumes and is only present at certain times during the menstrual cycle.
Innovation Solution
A mucilaginous extract from the okra plant (A. esculentus) is produced with similar physical and biological properties to human CF, including the ability to be selectively penetrated by motile spermatozoa and exhibiting antiviral properties, through an extraction process that involves separating a substantially clear mucilaginous fluid from the okra fruit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If natural human cervical fluid is collected for research and medical applications, then the fluid has useful properties for sperm motility testing and antiviral protection, but it is difficult to collect in large volumes and is only present at certain times during the menstrual cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an artificial cervical fluid composition that copies the key properties of natural human cervical fluid, including viscosity, Spinnbarkeit, ferning pattern, and selective permeability to spermatozoa. This synthetic version can be produced in large volumes at any time, eliminating the limitations of collecting natural fluid only during specific menstrual phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the fluid composition to match natural cervical fluid characteristics. By adjusting viscosity, pH, ionic composition, and mucin content, the artificial fluid replicates the functional properties needed for sperm penetration and viral protection while being available for continuous use.
2Reliability
If natural cervical fluid is used for sperm motility testing and separation, then it provides selective permeability and viability maintenance, but it is difficult to collect in large volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial cervical fluid composition replicates the selective permeability function of natural fluid by incorporating specific mucins and proteins that create a barrier to non-motile sperm while allowing motile sperm to penetrate. This copied function maintains reliability for sperm separation and motility testing with unlimited availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides selective permeability for sperm testing, maintains sperm viability during storage, and can be used in large volumes for various applications including antiviral protection, eliminating the need to choose between different fluid sources for different purposes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If natural cervical fluid is used for antiviral protection, then it provides protection against pathogens and viruses, but it is only present at certain times during the menstrual cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a synthetic cervical fluid composition that copies the antiviral protective properties of natural fluid, including its ability to inhibit viral penetration and replication. This copied protective function is available continuously without being limited to specific menstrual phases, providing consistent viral protection for research and medical applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The okra-derived composition effectively serves as a substitute for human CF in sperm storage, preservation, and antiviral applications, demonstrating properties like Spinnbarkeit, ferning, and selective sperm penetration, while also providing antiviral protection against pathogens and viruses.
Implementation Method 1
extracting a fruit of A. esculentus in an aqueous medium, to produce a first extract
Implementation Method 2
separating a substantially clear mucilaginous fluid from the first extract
Implementation Method 3
the ability to be selectively penetrated by motile spermatozoa
Implementation Method 4
a Spinnbarkeit of at least about 10 cm when measured according to the test disclosed herein
Implementation Method 5
displays ferning when subjected to the fern test
Data Source
AI summary
Artificial cervical fluid is disclosed that contains a mucilaginous extract from the okra plant. The mucilaginous extract can be produced using a hot aqueous extractant or cold extraction process followed by separation of larger particles from the extract. The extract finds many uses, for example as a sperm storage medium, a sperm freezing medium, a sexual lubricant, an artificial insemination medium, an in vitro fertilization medium, and methods for treating and/or preventing infection, replication, and transmission of viruses, such as sexually transmitted viruses.