Artificial Cryptorchidism
Andro-Switch Ring, Cobalt Boxer
- User: Male
- Hormonal: Non-Hormonal
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Delivery type:
- Testicular
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Intended Duration:
- Short-Acting
- Development Stage: Pre-Clinical
- Developer(s)/researcher(s): Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Thoreme, Entrelac, Cobalt Contraception
Details
-
Mechanism of Action:
- Inhibition of Sperm Capacitation
- Reduced Sperm Production
- Regimen: ~15 Hours/Day
- MPT: Not Potential MPT
- Promising Attributes: Advocates note strong user interest in a non-pharmaceutical contraceptive option for male users
Product Status
Recent Evaluation & Active Development Groups
History
See linked literature below for information on safety
Cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, has been understood to play a significant role in male infertility since the inception of fertility research. Artificial cryptorchidism, or manually and intentionally moving the testes into the body cavity with an external device to reduce sperm production, viability, and motility, has been formally documented as a male contraceptive technique since at least 1985, though it was used in animal infertility studies as early as 1965 and the informal and undocumented practice is likely much older. At least one advocacy group has developed a standalone device - the Andro-Switch - intended to facilitate the practice and has pursued regulatory guidance in France for approval as a contraceptive device. As of 2025, the male contraceptive cooperative Entrelac is supporting necessary fundraising for clinical evaluation of the device, in order to enable submission for a CE mark.
In addition, the startup Cobalt Contraception is in active development for a boxer-brief that would perform the same function - raising the testes into the body cavity - and indicate their intent to pursue clinical evaluation and a CE medical device certification.
Publications
doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)48502-x
PMID: 3792568
doi: 10.1007/s11427-010-4072-7
doi: 10.2741/s97
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1987.tb00356.x
doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0330469
See Clinical Research Summary linked below for comprehensive publication list compiled by Entrelac