A Study on Mice Showed Promise for a Reversible Pregnancy Prevention Drug
Cadhla Gray — October 8, 2015 — Tech
References: sciencemag.org & refinery29
A study recently posted in the "Science" Journal shows promise for a reversible, reliable form of male birth control. While the participants in the experiment were mice, the results have the potential to be transferred to human bodies since they contain the same sperm proteins.
The experiment first genetically modified some mice so that they couldn't make a sperm-necessary protein. Then, an immunosuppressant drug was given to non-genetically altered mice that had a similar effect. After just five days of taking the drug, those mice became infertile. However, the most exciting part is that after just a week with no drug, they became fertile again.
This is promising because it would lend to making a reversible male birth control -- providing an alternative to permanent methods like vasectomies and less reliable ones like condoms.
The experiment first genetically modified some mice so that they couldn't make a sperm-necessary protein. Then, an immunosuppressant drug was given to non-genetically altered mice that had a similar effect. After just five days of taking the drug, those mice became infertile. However, the most exciting part is that after just a week with no drug, they became fertile again.
This is promising because it would lend to making a reversible male birth control -- providing an alternative to permanent methods like vasectomies and less reliable ones like condoms.
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