By 42065438
A new age in contraception may be just around the corner...but for men. A research team including scientists from the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, investigating links between genetics and deafness believe they have stumbled upon a not only a cause of male infertility and possibly a revolution in birth control.
While studying a sample in Iran, scientists found two infertile families whose sterility was not caused by the effect of a syndrome. It was further deduced that their infertility was in fact inherited. The culprit gene, CATSPER1 was identified as the location of mutation but interestingly both families had a different type of the mutation, both leading to a condensed or a missing protein. Studies at Harvard University on mice have revealed that when this protein is affected, sperm lack the ‘hyperactivity’ to penetrate the female gamete. It is strongly believed that a mutated CATSPER1 gene has the same effects on humans. Michael Hildebrand of the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine believes, “"Identification of targets such as the CATSPER1 gene that are involved in the fertility process and are specific for sperm -- potentially minimizing side effects of a drug targeting the protein's function -- provide new targets for a pharmacological male contraceptive.”
Although the forming of a male contraceptive is still in its early days, several possibilities on its structure and method are currently being researched. At present, one prospect that is being formulated is immunocontraception where antibodies detect a certain protein and prevent it carrying out its function.
Funding has been provided by the National Institutes of Health to further advance this study.
From recent advances in genetic findings, the male population could have an alternative to the condom and eventually equally share the responsibility of prevention of pregnancy and furthermore, infertile families, desperately trying to conceive could be blessed.
Article:
Science Daily LLC, (2009), “Gene Discovery Could Lead To Male Contraceptive”, viewed 10 April 2009.
Image:
EarthFirst, (2009), "China Uses Birth Control, Abortion Pill to cut Gerbil Population", viewed 10 April 2009.
