Researchers have opened a new line of inquiry that may result in the creation of a reversible, non-hormonal male contraceptive. Despite only having been tested on mice thus far, the researchers think their “promising” strategy may soon lead to human clinical trials.
The protein complex that controls gene expression during sperm formation is the source of the discovery. In a recent study, researchers at the US-based Salk Institute administered a family of medications known as HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors to male mice. These medications have the ability to block the activity of this particular protein complex.
Their research revealed that these medications momentarily prevented the mice from becoming pregnant. Crucially, though, their testosterone levels were unchanged, their sex desire was unaffected, and sixty days after they stopped taking the medication, their fertility recovered.
The majority of experimental male birth control pills obstruct sperm production with a hammer; however, ours is far more nuanced. According to a statement from Professor Ronald Evans, senior study author from the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, “this makes it a promising therapeutic approach, which we hope to see in development for human clinical trials soon.”
Our male birth control pill is far more subtle than most, as most still in development inhibit sperm production with a hammer. Professor Ronald Evans, the principal study author, said in a statement from the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, “this makes it a promising therapeutic approach, which we hope to see in development for human clinical trials soon.”
In order to stop the creation of sperm, previously investigated methods just blocked retinoic acid or its receptor, but as retinoic acid is required for other biological processes, this could have a number of negative effects.
Rather, this novel treatment employs a medication called an HDAC inhibitor, which disrupts the cycle of sperm generation while seemingly having minimal impact on the remaining bodily functions.
Co-author Michael Downes, a senior staff scientist in Evans’ lab, said, “It’s all about timing.” “The addition of the medication causes the stem cells to become out of sync with the retinoic acid pulses, which stops sperm production. However, the removal of the drug allows the stem cells to rebuild their coordination with retinoic acid, which restarts sperm production.”
The promise of a male contraceptive pill always seems to be “just around the corner,” but it never actually happens. It will take some time for this most recent strategy to hit pharmacy shelves, even if it makes it through all the standard regulatory hoops. Still, a large number of scientists are engaged in the investigation.
Although it’s frequently questioned if men would want to take a “male pill,” there appears to be a market for them. One in three (33%) of British men who are sexually active might think about taking a male version of the pill, according to a 2019 YouGov survey. Men’s hesitation was primarily due to worries about its adverse effects, but as this study demonstrates, science is making good headway in resolving that issue. regarding the case.
The New Study is published in the Journal- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Reference Article- New Potential Male Contraceptive Doesn’t Impact Libido Or Testosterone Levels
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