Since the development of the contraceptive pill for women in 1960, scientists have so far failed to create the equivalent for men – until now.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have come a step closer to developing a male contraceptive, after discovering a vital gene that prevents sperm from maturing.
The gene in question, called Katnal1, controls the cells that support and provide nutrients to developing sperm, helping them to mature in the testes. Scientists believe that if this gene is blocked, it could stop mature sperm ready for fertilisation being released from the testes.
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This isn’t the first time scientists have tried to crack male contraceptives.
However, although trials of the pill were a success, there were concerns about the hormonal side-effects, which included loss of sex drive, acne and mood swings.
Researchers claim this contraceptive approach wouldn’t have any long-term effects on a man’s sperm-making ability, as the testes would continue making sperm, but only ineffective, immature sperm would be released.
“The important thing is that the effects of such a drug would be reversible because Katnal1 only affects sperm cells in the later stages of development, so it would not hinder the early states of sperm production and the overall ability to produce sperm,” explained Dr Lee Smith from the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Reproductive Health, in the PloS Genetics journal.
“Although other research is being carried out into non-hormonal male contraceptives, identification of a gene that controls sperm production in the way Katnal1 does is a unique and significant step forward in our understanding of testis biology."
The Family Planning Association (FPA) welcomed the findings, saying: “This is an exciting development and we welcome as much research as possible into new ways for men to control their sexual health,” according to the Scotsman.
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Frozen Embryos 'More Successful Than Fresh' For IVF Preganancies
Frozen embryos are more likely to produce successful, complication-free IVF pregnancies than those that are fresh, research suggests.
Using stored embryos cuts the risk of bleeding in pregnancy, premature birth, and giving birth to an underweight baby by almost a third, a study has found.
The risk of a baby dying at around the time of birth is also reduced by about a fifth.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/04/health-frozen-embryos-boost-ivf_n_1853377.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-lifestyle" target="_hplink">Read the full story here.</a>
Frozen Embryo IVF Babies 'Healthier And Heavier'
IVF babies born from frozen embryos are heavier and healthier than those born from fresh embryos, new fertility research has discovered.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/06/frozen-embryo-ivf-babies-healthier_n_1186664.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Three Parent IVF
Babies with three biological parents could soon be a reality after a new £6m laboratory has been given the go ahead and funding to develop a unique IVF technique which uses DNA from a third party.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/20/three-parent-ivf-may-be-legal_n_1218681.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Twins Beat The Odds To Be Born Five Years Apart
Reception class pupil Reuben Blake went back to school today, but his twin sister will have to wait another five years until she is old enough.
That is because, despite the fact the brother and sister were conceived from the same batch of embryos, they were born five years apart to parents Simon and Jody Blake.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/04/twins-born-five-years-apart-floren-simon-blake_n_1182717.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Lab-Grown Sperm - Coming Soon?
Scientists have made a breakthrough that could enable infertile men to father children with their own sperm.
Researchers at Muenster University in Germany grew mouse sperm in a laboratory and believe the same technique could be used with human sperm.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/03/sperm-grown-in-laboratory_n_1180695.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Scientists Uncover Female 'Fertility Switch'
Scientists from the Imperial College London have discovered a 'fertility switch' that could help treat infertility and miscarriage in the future.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/17/new-hope-for-women-struggling-to-conceive_n_1015554.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Women Who Donate Eggs For IVF Will Have Payments Tripled
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have announced today that women who donate their eggs to infertile couples, will be rewarded an extra £500 in costs.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/19/women-will-receive-triple-the-payment-for-egg-donation_n_1019830.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Baby Born Using 25-Year-Old Sperm
A baby girl was born after being conceived using sperm that has been kept frozen for 25 years - the longest that sperm has been kept frozen and then successfully used for IVF in the UK.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/06/baby-conceived-by-oldest-frozen-sperm_n_1257653.html" target="_hplink"><strong>Read the full story here</strong></a>.
Since the development of the contraceptive pill for women in 1960, scientists have so far failed to create the equivalent for men – until now.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have ...
Since the development of the contraceptive pill for women in 1960, scientists have so far failed to create the equivalent for men – until now.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have ...
This is great!
When this is available, us guys wont have to worry about "the girl that wants our baby!" without telling us. Or accidents for that matter.
Justjack1: This is great! When this is available, us guys wont
Contraception for men has already been trialled successfully but not rolled out. It has been proven to be fully effective, last nearly a decade and the single injection costs less than the syringe cost.
It can be easily flushed out as well, enabling couples engaged in unprotected sex to have more options than they currently have.
I believe that contraception should be an equal duty and men need more choice, that is why I urge everyone to please sign this petition:
It's funny to hear so many women say what men won't do. Sounds like wishful thinking to me. I think if guys had a effective form of BC that didn't have extreme side effects they would take it in a heartbeat. If condoms didn't reduce pleasure guys would wear them more often. A pill would solve that problem. However, don't worry ladies, Gov., divorce courts, the CS system, and Radical Feminist won't be letting men have "a pill" anytime soon. There is too much money at stake for men to have BC other than a condom. Also, the radicals would be too upset to lose such power. They like men to "pay to play." BC for men would be all play.
EdCorey1971: It's funny to hear so many women say what men
I would never trust a man with taking on this responsibility. After all, if he doesn't do what he's supposed to, it's the woman that bears the burden and he gets to walk away.
Melissa_McCarthy: I would never trust a man with taking on this
Like women have been soooooo responsible taking BC. Just take your own pill if your worried some guy won't take his. Don't some of you guys get tired of playing victim all the time?
EdCorey1971: Like women have been soooooo responsible taking BC. Just take
How is this any different than the responsibility men are supposed to take if you forget to take or lie about being on the pill. At least you can choose to abort. We have no power. Plus we have a system that loves to rule in favor of women. BTW, nobody is stopping any woman from being on the pill themselves. This is extra protection that can stop a man from being forced into parenthood by the woman.
mydarkpassenger: How is this any different than the responsibility men are
I've been reading about male birth control "on the horizon" for decades.
It never comes to pass.
I don't believe it ever will.
Too many powers (divorce and family court establishment, government, feminism, etc.) have a vested interest in keeping things the way they are now, where only women decide whether or not to have children.
I recall reading a story some time back about a birth control scientist who was basically shouted down at a WHO meeting by women who did not want men to have access to male birth control.
Morrisfactor: I've been reading about male birth control "on the horizon"
Men don't need a birth control pill. All we need is to know what our divorced brothers went through. Knowing what marraige and parenthood cost during and afterwards is enough to make coitus nearly impossible.
RealistBC: Men don't need a birth control pill. All we need
The problem is young boys and naive guys who get screwed.Get them on the pill as soon as they discover themselves.Realistically,they should use a condom as well.
mydarkpassenger: The problem is young boys and naive guys who get
I think this would be a great additional contraceptive option for couples. Just like any other method some folks will be more comfortable with it than others. Ultimately responsible men would do well with it just like responsible women do well with it now... irresponsible folks, regardless of sex, will struggle.
squirrely_girl: I think this would be a great additional contraceptive option
For the good of mankind and science, i will step up to the plate and help with this research.. Ladies to keep order we will start the line in alphabetical order, no more then 100 per day.
tomeb: For the good of mankind and science, i will step
Assuming, for the sake of discussion, that we live in a perfect world where STDs don't exist:
If women are going to engage in sex with a man who they either don't know well enough to trust, or conversely know well enough to know he'll be absent-minded and inconsistent about his pills, then I'd hope women would continue to take responsibility for their own sexual/reproductive health and double up on the contraception. Even if men were paragons of ethical sexual behavior, why would you leave such a thing up to someone else?
solar_diablo: Assuming, for the sake of discussion, that we live in
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The Huffington Post UK | By Kyrsty Hazell Posted: 25/05/2012 15:48 Updated: 25/05/2012 15:48