This week, there’s been a scientific breakthrough in the production of a male contraceptive pill. Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a new gene responsible for normal sperm production in humans and other mammals, and their studies shows that blocking or deactivating it with medicine could temporarily affect fertility.
‘The study identifies this gene for the first time as being expressed only in testicular tissue, nowhere else in the body, and it’s expressed by multiple mammalian species,’ said Jon Oatley, senior author, and professor in WSU’s School of Molecular Biosciences. ‘When this gene is inactivated or inhibited in males, they make sperm that cannot fertilize an egg, and that’s a prime target for male contraceptive development.’
Oatley’s team are now working on designing a drug that would inhibit the temporary function of this gene, meaning that men’s fertility wouldn’t be permanently affected, reversed once they came off the contraceptive pill. ‘You don’t want to wipe out the ability to ever make sperm — just stop the sperm that are being made from being made correctly,’ he explained. ‘Then, in theory, you could remove the drug and the sperm would start being built normally again.’
The most important part of the development though, according to researchers? Because the medication would impact gene function, it wouldn’t affect testosterone levels – an obstacle previous research into male contraceptive pills has come against.
‘Disrupting this protein [encoded by the gene] wouldn’t require any hormonal interference, a key hurdle in male contraception since testosterone plays other roles beyond sperm production in men including building bone mass and muscle strength as well as red blood cell production,’ a press release from Washington State University reads.
‘Hurrah!’, we hear you scream, ‘Thank heavens men won’t have to suffer the same hormonal disruption we have for decades, right?’
No mood swings, no fatigue, no reduced libido – all accepted hormonal side effects of the female contraceptive pill, even described as ‘minor side effects’ on the NHS website. In case you were wondering, low testosterone not only impacts bone mass and muscle strength in men (and women), but its primary side effects also include mood swings, fatigue, and reduced libido – yes, the exact same things women have been putting up with for years.
Low testosterone can also cause erectile dysfunction and loss of body hair, as well as obesity and symptoms of depression. But women too know the list of pill side effects goes way beyond those ‘minor’ ones, including but not limited to migraines, acne, appetite changes, breast changes, vaginal irritation, headaches, bloating, increased blood pressure, nausea as well as risk of blood clots, heart attack and liver disorders. And over on the mental health side? While it's still vastly under-researched, studies show that women’s hormonal contraception is known to precipitate or perpetuate depression.
So, there you have it, while funding into making the perfect little pill for men to prevent unwanted pregnancy rages on, women are left with the burden of increased risk and a continued lack of research into better contraceptive options. But we’re not bitter or anything, enjoy your hormone-free fun lads…