A new experimental male birth control drug has proven effective in preventing pregnancy.
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The non-hormonal contraceptive drug was found to disable sperm in male mice by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. The male mice were given a single dose of the drug, which temporarily inhibited the sperm’s ability to swim and mature through the female reproductive system, allowing it to fertilize an egg. The mice injected with the compound continued to exhibit normal mating behaviors, but there were no pregnancies.
“Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is essential for sperm motility and maturation. We show a single dose of a safe, acutely-acting sAC inhibitor with long residence time renders male mice temporarily infertile. Mice exhibit normal mating behavior, and full fertility returns the next day. These studies define sAC inhibitors as leads for on-demand contraceptives for men, and they provide in vivo proof-of-concept for previously untested paradigms in contraception; on-demand contraception after just a single dose and pharmacological contraception for men.”
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The male mice were administered a placebo and impregnated their mates at a rate of 30 percent. However, those with the experimental drug remained infertile for nearly three hours and regained fertility within the next 24 hours. According to Yahoo! News, the study’s co-authors said their goal is to create a male birth control drug that will “provide reproductive equality for both partners.”
“Our study provides proof of concept that a man will some day be able to take a contraceptive drug to provide reproductive equality for both partners.”
In a report by the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, nearly half of the pregnancies are unplanned as the burden of preventing pregnancy is solely placed on women. Although condoms and vasectomies are the known birth control options for men, women have more options to prevent pregnancy. Unlike hormonal birth control, the experimental drug is non-hormonal and has no side effects.
“We provide proof of concept that [it] is possible for a person (in our study, it is specific for men, but there is a future possibility that the same can be achieved for women) to take a pill for contraception only when and as often as needed. In our approach, the man will take a pill shortly before sexual activity, and they will be infertile for the subsequent 12-18 hours.
Male birth control pills are about to become a thing
— 平和(Sa) (@iamsahx) February 15, 2023
Imagine you meet a girl on Tinder and she askes you if you're on the pill 😶🌫️
— Teddy Killah (@TeddyKillah_) February 15, 2023
The clinical trials for humans will begin within two to three years, and the primary focus for these trials is safety. “Usually, the first phase of a clinical trial exclusively focuses on safety. We have the advantage that we can not only test for safety, but we can also test easily right away if the sAC inhibitor blocks sperm motility in humans, similarly as in mice,” said Dr. Balbach.