Scientists Discover Sperm Gene That Could Lead to Male Contraceptive

Scottish Scientists have discovered that a gene plays a key role in the production of sperm, making the possibility of a male contraceptive realistic.

In experiments on mice, researchers at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh found a gene, called Katnal1, which was essential for the final stages of sperm production. The discovery could eventually lead to the development of medicine that could interrupt the production of fertile sperm without causing lasting infertility or damage.

In order to identify Katnal1, the researchers treated a group of mice with a chemical called ENU, which triggers mutations in the DNA.  They then bred the mice to see if any of them became infertile. After establishing a group of impotent mice, the scientists looked through genetic mapping to identify which gene had been disrupted by the ENU. This led them to Katnal1. Now, the scientists are looking to perform a similar trick in humans to stop sperm developing.

According to CBS News, the study showed that Katnal1 is needed to regulate scaffold-like structures called tubules, which forms part of the cells that provide nutrients to developing sperm. When scientists genetically modified mice not to carry this gene, the mice became infertile. The findings were published in the May 24 issue of PLoS Genetics.

According to scientist, a potential male contraceptive pill would not use gene-therapy, but would instead require identifying a protein that is used to regulate Katnal1. According to Fox News, researches emphasized that blocking Katnal1 would render a man sterile for the rest of his life.

There are currently numerous options for male pharmaceutical contraception. Recent options include testosterone injections or testosterone plus progestin injections, which trick the brain into thinking the testicles have already produced enough testosterone. This shuts down sperm production.  

 The drawback is that these options rely on hormones, while the potential drug to come from the Scottish research team would be hormone-free and could avoid the side-effects that come with increased testosterone levels such as mood swings and acne.

The researchers have stated that not only will the finding enable the possibility of a male contraceptive, but it could potentially uncover why some men's sperm does not work properly.