A new compound slows the mobility of sperm without affecting hormones, according to a new study.
One more step towards gender equality. A new one study published in the journal Plos One has just demonstrated that a male contraceptive pill without hormonal side effects was now effective, at least on male macaques.
Slow sperm mobility
The researchers detail that a compound called EP055 made it possible to slow the overall mobility of sperm without affecting the hormones of the test subjects. O’Rand, retired professor of physiology and cell biology, also lead author of the study. This makes EP055 an ideal compound to achieve the creation of non-hormonal male contraception, “he adds.
The compound EP055 acts directly on the proteins found in semen.
The research, which was carried out on male macaques, consisted of injecting them via an intravenous infusion with a large dose of EP055. Thirty hours later, scientists at the Oregon National Primate Research Center found that the test subjects’ sperm were barely moving, with none of the macaques experiencing side effects.
Reversible effects
EP055 is naturally eliminated from the body approximately two weeks after injection. “18 days after the infusion, the sperm from the macaques tested had recovered full mobility, implying that the effects of EP055 are reversible,” said Mary Zelinski, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, also author of the ‘study.
Currently, only condoms and vasectomy (a minor operation that consists of cutting and blocking the vas deferens that carry sperm from the testicles) are a safe method of contraception for men, without affecting their hormones. Clinical trials that target sperm production currently routinely affect male hormones, just as contraceptives affect female hormones. The researchers say more work is needed before EP055 is tested in humans.
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