![]() The mice could father pups again 4-6 weeks after they stopped receiving the compound.Īccording to Georg, YCT529 will begin testing in human clinical trials in the third or fourth quarter of 2022. When given orally to male mice for 4 weeks, YCT529 dramatically reduced sperm counts and was 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, without any observable side effects. They identified a compound, which was named YCT529, that inhibited RAR-α almost 500 times more potently than it did RAR-β and -γ. With this information, they designed and synthesized approximately 100 compounds and evaluated their ability to selectively inhibit RAR-α in cells. So the researchers closely examined crystal structures of RAR-α, -β and -γ bound to retinoic acid, identifying structural differences in the ways the three receptors bind to their common ligand. ![]() Other scientists have developed an oral compound that inhibits all three members of the RAR family (RAR-α, -β and -γ) and causes reversible sterility in male mice, but Georg’s team and their reproductive biology collaborators wanted to find a drug that was specific for RAR-α and therefore less likely to cause side effects. Knocking out the RAR-α gene in male mice makes them sterile, without any obvious side effects. This protein is one of a family of three nuclear receptors that bind retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A that plays important roles in cell growth, differentiation (including sperm formation) and embryonic development. To develop their non-hormonal male contraceptive, the researchers targeted a protein called the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α). ![]() “We wanted to develop a non-hormonal male contraceptive to avoid these side effects,” says Noman, a graduate student in the lab of Gunda Georg, Ph.D., at the University of Minnesota. Most compounds currently undergoing clinical trials target the male sex hormone testosterone, which could lead to side effects such as weight gain, depression and increased low-density lipoprotein (known as LDL) cholesterol levels. “Scientists have been trying for decades to develop an effective male oral contraceptive, but there are still no approved pills on the market,” says Md Abdullah Al Noman, who is presenting the work at the meeting. Therefore, men need an effective, long-lasting but reversible contraceptive, similar to the birth control pill for women. Although vasectomies can sometimes be reversed, the reversal surgery is expensive and not always successful. In contrast, vasectomy - a surgical procedure - is considered a permanent form of male sterilization. However, condoms are single-use only and prone to failure. The meeting features more than 12,000 presentations on a wide range of science topics.Ĭurrently, men have only two effective options for birth control: male condoms and vasectomy. ACS Spring 2022 is a hybrid meeting being held virtually and in-person March 20-24, with on-demand access available March 21-April 8. The researchers will present their results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Today, scientists report a non-hormonal male contraceptive that effectively prevents pregnancy in mice, without obvious side effects. But men’s birth control options - and, therefore, responsibilities - could soon be expanding. To avoid getting pregnant, you do not have sex on or around the days you are fertile, or you use a barrier method of birth control.SAN DIEGO, MaWomen have many choices for birth control, ranging from pills to patches to intrauterine devices, and partly as a result, they bear most of the burden of preventing pregnancy. These methods focus on knowing which days of the month you are able to get pregnant (fertile), often based on basal body temperature and cervical mucus. You put these products in the vagina right before sex. Vaginal pH regulator gel (Phexxi) stops sperm from moving, so they can't get to an egg to fertilize it. Spermicide is a type of contraceptive that kills sperm or stops it from moving. These are nonhormonal options for birth control. Examples include tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. ![]() This is a permanent method of birth control. These are considered long-acting methods because they last for three to 10 years after insertion - depending on the device - or until you decide to have the device removed. Examples include the copper IUD (ParaGard), the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, others) and the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon). These are considered short-acting methods because you have to remember to use them on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Examples include birth control pills, as well as the vaginal ring (NuvaRing), skin patch (Xulane) and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera). Examples include male and female condoms, as well as the diaphragm, cervical cap and contraceptive sponge.
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