A gene, called ARRDC5, present in testicular tissue could lead to the development of a new highly effective and reversible male contraceptive for humans and animals.
- American researchers have identified the expression of the gene, called ARRDC5, in the testicular tissue of mice, pigs, cattle and humans.
- Male mice lacking the ARRDC5 gene produced 28% less sperm, and sperm moved 2.8 times slower than normal.
- The researchers behind the study have filed a provisional patent for the development of a male contraceptive based on this gene and the protein it encodes.
The discovery of a gene in several mammalian species could pave the way for a highly effective, reversible, non-hormonal male contraceptive for humans and animals.
Washington State University researchers identified expression of the gene, called ARRDC5, in testicular tissue from mice, pigs, cattle and humans. When they knocked out the gene in mice, it caused infertility only in males by affecting the number, movement and shape of their sperm. The researchers detailed their findings in the journal NatureCommunications April 17.
The ARDDC5 gene is essential for normal sperm production
“When this gene is inactivated or inhibited in males, they make sperm that cannot fertilize an egg, and it is a prime target for the development of male contraceptives”said Jon Oatley, lead author of the study and professor at WSU’s School of Molecular Biosciences, in a communicated.
In the study, male mice lacking the ARRDC5 gene produced 28% less sperm, and sperm moved 2.8 times slower than normal. About 98% of their sperm had abnormal heads and midsections.
The absence of the gene causes a condition called oligoasthenoteratospermia or OAT. This condition, the most common diagnosis for human male infertility, shows a decrease in the amount of sperm produced, slowed mobility, and a distorted shape such that sperm are unable to fuse with an egg, leading to infertility. .
The study indicates that the protein encoded by this gene is necessary for normal sperm production. Jon Oatley’s team will then work on designing a drug that would inhibit the production or function of this protein.
A new method of male contraception in sight?
Disrupting this protein would require no hormonal interference, a major obstacle to male contraception since testosterone plays other roles beyond sperm production in men, including building bone mass and muscle strength. as well as the production of red blood cells. Designing a drug to target this protein would also make it easily reversible as a contraceptive.
“If you don’t want to destroy the ability to make sperm, you just have to stop the sperm that is being made from being made properly. So in theory you could take the drug out and the sperm would start building normally again”explains Jon Oatley.
This new method of contraception could also extend to animals
In addition to the opportunity this presents for humans, this discovery also opens up the possibility of developing male contraception for livestock and potentially replacing castration in some cases to control reproduction, as well as for wildlife to limit the overpopulation of a species for example. Nevertheless, the original goal remains to give humans more control over their own reproduction.
The researchers behind the study have filed a provisional patent for the development of a male contraceptive based on this gene and the protein it encodes.