Gold nanorods may lead to reversible male contraceptive

    Using injections of gold nanorods subjected to UV light, it is possible to come a step closer to a non-surgical, reversible, male contraceptive.
    The technique will be based upon the well-known fact that heat will kill sperm cells. The method will involve injecting a mixture containing nanorods of gold, which will then be heated from the outside by an infrared laser. This will heat the rods up enough to kill the sperm cells, but not enough to kill the cell that make new sperm.
    The method could be used for the sterilization of domestic animals.