Scientists developing male contraceptive pill

Scientists are working to develop a male contraceptive pill, much like that for their female counterparts and have achieved a milestone after successful studies were conducted on mice. Even as contraceptive pills for women have been around for decades, the scientists have not been able to produce a similar drug for males. A new study in the US showed that the new drug could lake male mice infertile without hampering their sex drive.

Health experts have acknowledged the findings but said that more work needs to be done to develop the medicine. It is believed that a lack of male contraceptive pill is the reason for several unplanned pregnancies.
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Baylor College of Medicine in the US are conducting trails on the drug called, JQ1. The drug is aimed at a protein which exists only in the testes and reduced sperm production.
They found that the testes of mice, which were given the drugs, began to shrink as they produced fewer sperm and they were less mobile. Some of the mice were rendered infertile during the trails after they were given the drugs. The mice became normal and were able to reproduce when they were taken off the drug.
Dr James Bradner said, "This compound produces a rapid and reversible decrease in sperm count and motility with profound effects on fertility. These findings suggest that a reversible, oral male contraceptive may be possible."