14 DAY TRIAL // Despite the fact that contraceptive drugs have been developed for women more than 40 years ago, no similar class of products has been created for men up to this point, though surveys show that many would use them if they became available. According to a paper published in the April 2nd online issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, scientists at the University of Iowa have managed to discover a genetic anomaly that could potentially aid them in the creation of a male contraceptive.
The United Kingdom-based Medical Research Council Reproductive Biology Unit has released studies showing that a lot of males would be more than happy to renounce the two existing contraceptive methods that they have – condoms and vasectomy. While it stands to reason that even a “magic pill” wouldn't be able to protect couples against sexually-transmitted diseases (STD), many would appreciate the creation of a third option.
“We have identified CATSPER1 as a gene that is involved in non-syndromic male infertility in humans, a finding which could lead to future infertility therapies that replace the gene or the protein. But, perhaps even more importantly, this finding could have implications for male contraception,” UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine postdoctoral researcher Michael Hildebrand, PhD, who is also the co-author of the journal paper, explains.
“Our research suggests that the defect in sperm hyperactivity that is seen in mice without CATSPER1 will also occur in humans with the genetic mutation. Identification of targets such as the CATSPER1 gene that are involved in the fertility process and are specific for sperm – potentially minimizing side effects of a drug targeting the protein's function – provide new targets for a pharmacological male contraceptive,” he adds.
It remains to be seen how the research team will proceed from this point with its investigation. The creation of a drug, most likely an immunocontraceptive one – as in a substance that “blinds” the protein and does not allow it to do its job – would undoubtedly be widely saluted. However, in order for the technology to work, it would have to be reversible and to function in very much the same way as its counterpart, the five-year women's pill, does.