Male contraception may be coming, a promising new method has been found

The development of male contraceptive methods has been going on for a long time, and every now and then a promising solution appears – however, the breakthrough is still to come, as such preparations are still not available in pharmacies.

Now, researchers from the American Cornell University have made an important discovery, which can be used to temporarily “turn off” fertility safely and without hormones. THE PNAS A publication published in the scientific journal “. It is an important element of sperm formation.

The researchers believe that with their method, a hormone-free, at the same time, long-lasting male contraceptive can be made – sums up the Gizmodo.

https://hvg.hu/tudomany/20250401_hormonmentes-ferfi-fogamzasgatlo-yct-529

The meiosis inhibitor seems to be effective

A healthy embryo has 46 chromosomes, arranged in pairs. Each half of the couple is made up of a mature sperm and egg. In order for these cells to have 23 chromosomes, they must first undergo meiosis.

To prevent meiosis, the researchers tested a drug called JQ1, originally developed to treat cancer. It is known to kill cells in the earliest stages of meiosis – in this case, blocking a protein in the testes called BRDT.

For the tests, the researchers administered JQ1 to the mice for three weeks and then monitored their fertility. They found that the drug completely stopped sperm production in the mice without harming the pre-meiotic stem cells.

The effect began to weaken within six weeks after the end of the treatment, and within 30 weeks fertility was completely restored. They were also able to produce offspring.

https://hvg.hu/tudomany/20250425_ferfi-fogamzasgatlas-implantatum-adam-hidrogel

However, it is important to point out that JQ1 – in this form – will probably never be commercially available as a male contraceptive, as it has a short half-life and may have side effects affecting the nervous system. The investigation was more aimed at the researchers verifying the viability of the concept. In this area, the research was definitely successful.

Specialists are already working on the development of other safe methods of inhibiting sperm meiosis.

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