 |
| Male contraceptive pill could be a step closer after gene discovery |
Scientists are a step close to developing a contraceptive pill for men, after
identifying a new gene critical in the production of healthy sperm.
Researchers have found the gene, Katnal 1, controls the final stages of sperm
development and could result in temporary infertility if blocked.
The discovery could lead to the development of medicine to interrupt the
production of fertile sperm without causing permanent damage, scientists
believe.
The study, at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of
Edinburgh, is thought to make the successful production of a contraceptive
pill for men more likely in the near future.
Dr Lee Smith, from the university, said if the gene was blocked the testes
would continue to produce sperm, only releasing immature, ineffective sperm
which had not developed into the final stages.
He told the BBC: "If we can find a way to target this gene in the testes,
we could potentially develop a non-hormonal contraceptive.
"The important thing is that the effects of such a drug would be reversible because Katnal1 only affects sperm cells in the later stages of development, so it would not hinder the early stages of sperm production and the overall ability to produce sperm.”
He added it would be "relatively difficult" to do as the protein lives inside cells, but there was "potential" to find another substance that protein worked with as an easier target.
The research, funded by the Medical Research Council, was based on altering the genetic code of mice to discover mutations which led to infertility.
Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC there was "certainly a need" for a non-hormonal contraceptive for men and that this had been a "Holy Grail" of research for many years.
"The important thing is that the effects of such a drug would be reversible because Katnal1 only affects sperm cells in the later stages of development, so it would not hinder the early stages of sperm production and the overall ability to produce sperm.”
He added it would be "relatively difficult" to do as the protein lives inside cells, but there was "potential" to find another substance that protein worked with as an easier target.
The research, funded by the Medical Research Council, was based on altering the genetic code of mice to discover mutations which led to infertility.
Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC there was "certainly a need" for a non-hormonal contraceptive for men and that this had been a "Holy Grail" of research for many years.
"The gene described by the research group in Edinburgh sounds like an
exciting new possible target for a new male contraceptive, but it may also
shed light on why some men are sub-fertile and why their sperm does not work
properly,” he said.
0 komentar:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !