Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered a substance that acts as
In their work, scientists used a compound undercalled TDI-11861, which inhibits soluble adenylate cyclase (sAC), an enzyme that controls sperm motility and maturity in mammals. Researchers have found that the introduction of this substance makes sperm almost immobile and prevents their maturation.
Molecular structure and visualization of TDI-10229 and TDI-11861 enzymes. Image: Balbach et al., Nature Communications
To test the effectiveness of TDI-11861,The researchers gave this enzyme in food to a group of male mice and then allowed the subjects to copulate with the females. The study showed that none of the females who had sex with a male who received the drug became pregnant.
About 30 minutes after copulation, scientistsexamined sperm in the bodies of mice and those released into the female genital tract during copulation. The analysis showed that the germ cells were practically devoid of mobility. Some signs of recovery appeared only 2.5 hours after taking the drug, but it took 24 hours for the sperm to regain their activity. In this case, mating of males with another group of females 24 hours after the administration of the drugs led to a normal pregnancy.
For men, there are traditionally two maincontraceptive methods: vasectomy and condoms. The first of them leads to irreversible consequences - although the reverse procedure is possible, the restoration of reproductive function is not guaranteed, and the second does not have 100% reliability. Female contraception contains more options, but many of them are hormone-based and have a large number of side effects.
Scientists believe that the results of the studywill help create a new type of family planning pill: men will be able to take medicine, if necessary, shortly before sexual intercourse, and in a day the ability to conceive a child will be restored. This, the authors believe, will reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and the consequences of taking hormonal drugs.
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