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Scientists working on safe male contraceptive
Thursday September 06, 2012 06:31:07 PM,
IANS
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Washington: The day may
be not be far-off when males can take birth control pills without
fearing side-effects. Even though the concept has exercised
scientists for decades, none has been successfully created despite
a strong demand.
Qinglei Li, assistant professor in Texas A&M's College of
Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, made the discovery as
part of the team led by Martin Matzuk at Baylor College of
Medicine and James Bradner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Working on mice, the team found that a compound called JQ1
inhibits sperm production and also sperm mobility. "Both of these
are needed for fertility, but JQ1 prevents both," Li says of the
findings, the journal Cell reports.
"It stopped the sperm production very dramatically. More good news
is that there appear to be no side-effects whatsoever. Once the
JQ1 was no longer given to the mice, they were back to their
normal reproduction rates, and it did not affect mating behaviour
or the health of the offspring," says Li, according to a Texas
statement.
As with many discoveries, the JQ1 compound appears to have come
about by accident. It was originally used for anti-cancer
treatments, but researchers found it was also an excellent
compound in controlling fertility.
While many men might be reluctant to take out the trash or ask for
directions if they are lost, recent studies have shown that about
70 percent of men would be willing to take a birth control pill if
it were available.
One drawback to many female contraceptives is that they sometimes
interfere with hormones, especially estrogen. But Li says the team
is confident that JQ1 does not affect testosterone levels in men,
and appears to have no other side effects as well.
"A compound with more specificity will be needed before clinical
trials can be done for humans. It does not mean a male birth
control pill just yet, but it is a great step forward in that
direction," adds Li.
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