Study: Male Contraceptive Pill Could Be Available in 5 Years

Facts

• Researchers at Washington State University say the development of a male contraceptive pill that disables a gene crucial for reproducing sperm may be available in five years. A breakthrough discovery of the so-called "Arrdc5" gene is enabling the new pill’s progress.¹
• University researchers identified the expression of the gene in the testicular tissue of mice, pigs, cattle, and humans. When researchers eliminated the gene in mice, it created infertility only in the males, impacting the mobility and count of sperm.²
• Disabling the gene in mice stopped the production of a protein to develop a condition called "oligoasthenoteratospermia," the most commonly found cause of male infertility in humans. The protein caused 98% of the mice's sperm to be incapable of fusing with an egg.³
• The analysis also revealed the tested mice produced 28% less sperm than their counterparts. Researchers say that the pill being developed would not require any hormonal interference and that the process would be reversible.⁴
• Lead researcher Dr. Jon Oatley said “given sufficient resources” the pill could be available in five to seven years. He stressed the importance of preventing unwanted pregnancies for humanity as a whole.¹
• For decades, scientists have sought to develop new male contraceptives, which have been limited to the use of condoms and the surgical procedure of a vasectomy. This has put much of the reproductive responsibility on women.⁵

Sources: ¹The Telegraph, ²WSU Insider, ³New Atlas, ⁴Daily Mail, and ⁵Drug Discovery from Technology Networks.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Idaho Capital Sun. A viable male birth control pill is on the horizon, and science is very close to the breakthrough that has been desired for decades. In the wake of last year’s SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, reproductive care and contraception have become of even greater importance. The discovery of a gene that can inhibit sperm from fertilizing an egg without hormonal interference can bring a widely sought-after male contraceptive quite soon.
• Narrative B, as provided by Washington Post. While there is great progress being made in the development of a male contraceptive pill, we are quite far from having it available and widely used by men. While many men say they would like to prevent unplanned pregnancies, a large portion hesitates at the idea of taking a novel pill that hasn’t been tested. There are multiple hurdles to clear before male contraceptives are a realistic, widely accepted option to prevent unwanted pregnancies.