For several years, birth control pills were only taken by women. A recent invention by Japanese scientists may pave the way for a temporary birth control pill, particularly geared towards male consumers.
New findings by scientists from Osaka University and the University of Tsukuba in Japan were published in the online journal Science. They stated that there is a huge potential for an oral medication or injectable that will provide men the same type of temporary birth control effects rendered by products for women like the pill.
The researchers used pieces of an immunosuppressant drug and introduced it to laboratory mice. They discovered that the drug blocked a vital protein for making sperm. Calcineurin, an enzyme, was observed to have a key role in the immune system and seems to exist in cells that produce sperm. Drugs that work on the immune system in the same manner will most likely affect sperm production.
The results showed that the subject mice were not able to reproduce, although the birth control effect was only temporary. One week after, the mice were able to produce sperm properly and impregnate female mice. The results hinted to the scientists that a drug for men can be developed for birth control purposes. Men might be able to take the new product every week or month to become infertile for a short span of time, without any consequences to their fertility in the long term, Tech Times wrote.
Male birth control is not entirely uncommon. The most permanent birth control solution for males is vasectomy. Vasalgel, an injectable is under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has the effect of causing male infertility for a span of 10 years.
The recent findings in Japan is the most promising male birth control method at present, which leaves minimal or zero side effects. The mice that were temporarily infertile were able to mate and ejaculate in normal fashion. Fox News cited that previous birth control pills focused on female hormones. The new approach targeted sperm. The sperm cells of the lab mice did not swim well and failed to fertilize eggs. The sperm also did not bend normally, which hindered it from penetration the egg cell's membrane.
The researchers hope that the new finding can lead to the creation of a male contraceptive that will be sold in pharmacies soon. More updates and details from related studies are expected in the near future.