Abstract: The invention is directed to the control of cellular autophagy, cellular agglutination and the immobilization of motile cells. Such control is useful in, for example, the treatment of cancer, contraception, termination of pregnancy, removal of pathogenic organisms and removal of any abnormal cellular growth (malignant or otherwise); as a diagnostic and analytical tool whereby cell structure can be studied and testing could be undertaken for the presence (and subsequent analysis) of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms; and in the manufacture of biochemicals whereby certain cells must be destroyed or otherwise contained. From surface analysis of normal and abnormal cells, specific receptors on abnormal cells which are either not present on normal cells or are only present in significantly reduced numbers can be identified. Alkaloids and other pharmaceutically acceptable compounds are preferentially recognized by the abnormal cells, and which bind thereto and subsequently destroy.

Abstract: A contraceptive method for living animals (including human beings) can utilize a polyurethane or polyvinylacetate (PVA) disc as an inert carrier for contraceptive preparations, the disc being implanted before intercourse to engage the external os of the cervical canal. Preferred contraceptive preparations include (1) the copper (II) salt of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTACu) and L-L-ascorbic acid; (2) the sialic acid-removing enzyme neuraminidase; and (3) an asialoglycoprotein, such as asialofetuin. Of these preparations, which can be used separately or in any combination, the first two act on the cervical mucus to change it from the open cellular structure found at midcycle of the menstrual period to the closed cellular structure and thus form an impenetrable barrier for spermatozoa. The second and third preparations remove sialic acid from spermatozoa, the presence of which is necessary for successful fertilization.