The male contraceptive pill has been a long time coming. Widely discussed for decades and under serious research for the past twenty years or so, some doubt if it will ever actually emerge. This week, however, scientists have made a breakthrough that could mean swift progress at last.
Brickies, gym bros, and powerlifters rejoice: studies may have found that lifting heavy objects gives you a higher sperm count, but a recent breakthrough may have finally found the key to cutting off those swimmers at the source.
A new breakthrough in DNA research has brought the world one step closer to a reversible male contraceptive pill that could temporarily induce infertility, providing a handy short-term option over the much more permanent and much more invasive vasectomy.
According to a recent study, researchers in the USA have identified a gene responsible for normal sperm production which could be targeted to reduce fertility in males without interfering with our all-important hormones.
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The Arrdc5 gene, which is exclusively found in testicular tissue and absent in every other part of the body was found to be the crucial gene responsible for sperm production. Once identified and isolated, scientists put it to the test...
When blocked or deactivated with drugs, the gene led to a significant reduction in sperm count, as well as reducing sperm movement and causing abnormal shape, which makes that all-important sprint swim a hell of a lot harder.
However - and this is the part that's the real game changer, giving it an edge over male contraceptive options readily available today - stopping the intake of the medication would allow the gene to reactivate and produce normal sperm once again, as if nothing had happened.
The researchers from Washington State University used laboratory mice to test the effects of deactivating the gene on fertility. Not only did the brave volunteer mice produce 28% less sperm than their unmedicated counterparts, but the majority of the sperm was highly damaged and moved nearly three times slower than normal.
Jon Oatley (right) was also involved in the creation of gene-edited livestock. Image: Washington State University
According to Professor Jon Oatley, one of the study’s authors, having a male contraceptive that doesn't rely on hormones represents a significant breakthrough because testosterone plays many other roles in the male body beyond sperm production. Previous drugs have interfered with testosterone levels, causing unwanted side effects.
The researchers have filed a patent for a contraceptive blocking the protein made by this gene and are now working on replicating the drug for human use. Oatley went on to ruminate about the potential implications of this discovery:
“Developing a way to curb population growth and stop unwanted pregnancies is really important for the future of the human race…If we can develop this discovery into a solution for contraception, it could have far-ranging impacts.”
Prof. Jon Oatley
While other male contraceptives are currently being researched and tested, the only options presently available on the market are a (very intrusive and permanent) vasectomy or condoms. This breakthrough in DNA research offers a promising alternative that could allow for uninhibited pleasure alongside very inhibited rates of unwanted pregnancy.
It's worth pointing out, however, that though this pill could stop pregnancy, it doesn't have the power to stop STDs. The days of the good old-fashioned rubber may not be as numbered as some might hope...
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