Jumat, 25 Mei 2012

Male contraceptive pill could be developed within a decade after discovery of gene key to sperm production

Male contraceptive pill could be developed within a decade after discovery of gene key to sperm production

By Fiona Macrae

PUBLISHED: 16:09 EST, 24 May 2012 | UPDATED: 11:15 EST, 25 May 2012

A breakthrough by British fertility experts could lead to a male pill and even a 'genetic vasectomy'.

Edinburgh University scientists have discovered a gene that is key to the production of sperm.

A drug that blocks the gene from working could be used as a contraceptive, liberating women from the burden of family planning.

Scientists from Edinburgh University say they have discovered a gene that is key to the production of sperm

Scientists from Edinburgh University say they have discovered a gene that is key to the production of sperm

The research could also lead to a 'genetic vasectomy' - a jab of genes that would leave a man permanently sterile.

Ultimately, within just five to ten years, it could even mean new treatments for infertile men, allowing them to achieve their dream of fatherhood.

The hopes come from an early-stage study in which scientists bred mice in which a gene called Katnal1 didn't work.

This left the male animals infertile. Tests showed that Katnal1 affects a key stage of sperm development, in which 'nursemaid' cells in the testicles nurture and nourish sperm as it matures.

If Katnal1 doesn't work properly, the sperm don't fully mature, the journal PLoS Medicine reports.

The discovery paves the way for drug that temporarily stops the gene from working.

The drug could be key to the development of a birth control pill for men, researchers say

The drug could be key to the development of a birth control pill for men, researchers say

As it wouldn't be based on hormones, it shouldn't disrupt a man's sex drive. And, unlike some other hormone-based male contraceptives in development, it should be free of other unwelcome side-effects such as mood swings and hot flushes.

Researcher Dr Lee Smith said: 'If we can find a way to target this gene in the testes, we could potentially develop a non-hormonal male 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 develop ment and the overall ability to produce sperm.'

It can be argued that men lack women's motivation to prevent pregnancy, making it hard for women to trust them to take a contraceptive pill.

But Dr Smith said: 'If you asked someone in the street, especially a woman, if they'd trust a man to take a contraceptive, they'd say no.

'But data from studies shows that if people are in a loving relationship, the potential take-up of a male contraceptive is higher, especially if the woman is having side-effects from taking a hormonal contraceptive.'

A contraceptive based on the research is at least a decade from the market but other fruits of the finding are closer.

For instance, Dr Smith has shown that it is possible to use a single jab of genes to make mice sterile.

He says such 'genetic vasectomies' could be five to ten years away from hospital operating theatres.

The third possibility is using jabs of genes to correct defects in Katnal1 an d other genes key to sperm production.

This could allow infertile men to father children of their own.

 

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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I would still be on a contraceptive....I wouldnt trust a man to remember that! It is the woman that gets pregnant if he forgets

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More 'elite' population control shenanigans ... sad state we are in ...

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Probably only take another five decades before some males would take it, most dont give a dam about the women they have sex with and with young women having upwards of five or six children all by different fathers some of them dont either.

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I would take it.

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"why don't men want to pay for their children". Guys, this is what women think men are for, for paying for stuff and nothing else. This is why this pill is such a good thing, strongly suggest you ignore what your girlfriend/wife is telling you and take the pill without telling them. Take control of your life and don't fall victim to these leeches.- Excluded Father, Milton keynes, England, - Umm, no, if you make a child, both the father AND mother should pay for it! Why should the tax payer play Daddy for you? I don't know where men get off thinking they can make a baby and then walk away never having to raise or support it.

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Lucy, UK, 25/5/2012 8:34 "why don't men want to pay for their children". Guys, this is what women think men are for, for paying for stuff and nothing else. This is why this pill is such a good thing, strongly suggest you ignore what your girlfriend/wife is telling you and take the pill without telling them. Take control of your life and don't fall victim to these leeches = Excluded Father, Milton keynes ---That's not what I meant at all. I meant don't you want them to have new shoes/ clothes, to be fed properly and healthily, get a good education etc. It's not 'men paying for stuff and nothing else'. It's making sure they still have a good start in life and a decent future now that you're no longer with their mum. That's what I meant but it seems some men even begrudge their kids that. I'm all for men taking this pill and taking responsibility for their own lives for a change. It seems to me that some men didn't want kids, didn't think to tell her but still went along with it anyway.

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- Excluded Father, Milton keynes, England, 25/5/2012 9:57 ------ Sorry what you are experiencing, my mother kept my father away from us kids. I don't know how to get around that when the kids are little and the mother wants to play games, but we are older now and she can't keep us separated anymore. If your kids are teenagers maybe you can contact them online or they will contact you, then you can spend time together. Hope it works out for you and you can have a relationship with your kids like me and my dad do now. : )

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Lucy, UK, 25/5/2012 8:34 "why don't men want to pay for their children". Guys, this is what women think men are for, for paying for stuff and nothing else. This is why this pill is such a good thing, strongly suggest you ignore what your girlfriend/wife is telling you and take the pill without telling them. Take control of your life and don't fall victim to these leeches.

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I wish this was around a number of years ago, then I could have sorted that side of things out and then I would not be in the position I am in today. You cannot trust women to take the pill (not one little bit) and it is the man who suffers and suffers and suffers.

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i have the most successful and effective birth control of all time ; my face ! the response , no, is pretty much the same in any language . however i live in hope .

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