The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Archive

Male contraceptive pill a step closer following studies on mice

Male contraceptive pill a step closer following studies on mice
17 August 2012
Jane Evans
Avatar
Jane Evans
17 August 2012

Researchers in the US have tested a contraceptive pill on mice and found it rendered them infertile through producing fewer, less mobile sperm.

A drug that temporarily reduces male fertility has been tested by scientists. Photo: pregnancyandbaby.com

The drug, the JQ1 compound, was initially discovered by scientists searching for cancer cures. It has been found to be effective in tests for lung cancer and leukaemia, and circulated to over 350 laboratories.

Dr James Bradner, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, US), published a paper about JQ1 in the journal, Cell. He said: “Our findings demonstrate that, when given to rodents, this compound produces a rapid and reversible decrease in sperm count and mobility with profound effects on fertility. These findings suggest that a reversible, oral male contraceptive may be possible.”

Of the 14 options presented in the NHS leaflet, “Your Guide to Contraception”, only two are for men: condoms and vasectomies.

While the contraceptive pill for women has been around for over 50 years, development in alternative male contraception has been slow and faces a number of challenges: funding, safety standards, concerns about uptake and the prolific nature of sperm. While women produce one egg a month, sperm are generated at a rate of 1,000 a second.

Newer methods are focusing on non-hormonal contraception and addressing the motility of sperm and their ability to penetrate eggs.

Researchers observed that when JQ1 was administered, the testes of the mice shrank due to the diminished number of sperm. They said the mice were temporarily infertile, but that their testosterone levels and sex drive remained unaffected. With the cessation of the drug, sperm production returned to normal.

A marketable drug is most likely to be a long way off. Dr Bradner said:  “While we will be conducting more research to see if we can build on our current findings, JQ1 shows initial promise as a lead compound for male contraception.”

Jane Evans

Related Items

More in Archive

Achieve timeless elegance this S/S 2014 with S.I.L.K.

Ellie Owen
Read More

Bespoke jewellery by Charlotte Tamar

Niten Thakor
Read More

Enjoy designer luxury with Alexis Smith Lingerie’s A/W 2013 collection

Ellie Owen
Read More

Embrace vibrancy and colour with PPQ this winter

Ellie Owen
Read More

Kenzo Metallics adds the sparkle to you Christmas wardrobe

Niten Thakor
Read More

A Christmas alternative: Cranberry and Orange Jeweled Nut Bake

Bethany Stone
Read More

An Austique shopping guide: your one-stop shop for last minute gifts

Christianna Pugliese
Read More

A comforting twist to designer heels

Michelle McGill
Read More

Iain Duncan Smith condemned for refusing to meet with Trussell Trust

Abbie Cavendish
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Albert Adrià reopens Enigma on 7 June as a “fun-dining” restaurant and cocktail bar
    Food & Drinks
  • Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Crimes of the Future: Three new clips from David Cronenberg’s dystopian body horror film
    Cannes
  • The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • November (Novembre)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Forever Young (Les Amandiers)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • “Ruben is wonderful at picking holes in our behaviour and our egos”: Woody Harrelson, Ruben Östlundand and cast at the Triangle of Sadness press conference
    Cannes Film Festival 2022
  • Summer Scars (Nos Cérémonies)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Holy Spider (Les Nuits de Mashad)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Emergency
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Men
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Triangle of Sadness
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Aftersun
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Paris Memories (Revoir Paris)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Sugary delights at Crème Nouveau jewellery
All the pretty kitties: Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards at the Savoy