A gene that has been found in numerous mammalian species may lead to the development of highly effective, reversible, and hormone-free for male birth control both people and animals.
The gene Arrdc5 was found to be expressed in the testicular tissue of mice, pigs, cattle, and humans, according to Washington State University researchers.
Contraceptive Pill Could be Solution for Birth Control
Only the male mice with the gene knocked out experienced infertility, which had an effect on the quantity, mobility, and form of their sperm.
In the journal Nature Communications, the researchers provided a thorough account of their findings.
The possibly ground-breaking contraceptive pill might be used to prevent overpopulation in animals and replace castrations without causing any hormonal adverse effects.
Importantly, the infertility protein is not permanently destabilized, which means that sperm will regenerate once the human or animal stops taking the medication.
The discovery has been welcomed by scientists as potentially significant for the future of the human race.
In testicular tissue from mice, pigs, cattle, and humans, the Arrdc5 gene was found to be expressed by the research team from Washington State University (WSU) in the United States.
The Arrdc5 gene is unique to male testes and can be found in a variety of mammalian species, although other molecular targets have already been identified to produce male contraceptives. The disorder known as oligoasthenoteratospermia, or OAT, was found to be a substantial cause of infertility when the gene was removed, according to the researchers.
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Men to Control Reproduction
The most typical diagnosis of male infertility in people results from this disorder, which causes a decrease in sperm production as well as sluggish and deformed sperm that cannot fuse with an egg.
Male mice without the gene produced 28% fewer sperm and traveled 2.8 times slower than typical mice, according to the WSU team’s observations of these mice.
In order to provide men more control over their reproduction, the experts insist that their current efforts are concentrated on creating an effective contraceptive pill for males.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, also admits that while there are numerous methods of birth control available to women, they are not always reliable or accessible.
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