Scientists develop drug that “paralyzes” sperm, similar to a male contraceptive

Recently, the result of a study that seeks to develop a drug that blocks the action of spermatozoa was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. The test, initially carried out with mice, shows that the enzyme used in the non-hormonal pill prevented the spermatozoa from swimming, creating a blockage in them.

The results brought hope that in the near future, as well as women, men will also have a contraceptive medication, in addition to the use of condoms.

According with the doctor. João Paladino, urologist at Nilo Frantz Medicina Reproductiva, this new treatment brings a change of paradigms, since so far male contraceptive methods are limited to condoms and vasectomy.

Paladino explains that to create a method that was not hormonal, the researchers focused on a protein called retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha.

“Vitamin A can be processed in several ways and retinoic acid, which also belongs to the vitamin class, plays an important role in sperm formation and embryonic development.

The acid needs to interact with RAR-alpha to develop these functions, and the experiments showed that mice without the gene created by the RAR-alpha receptor are sterile,” says Paladino.

In this way, the scientists developed a way to block the action of RAR-alpha and the results of the tests showed that the sperm count in the mice was drastically reduced.

“The main challenge in a hormonal mechanism as a male contraceptive is related to the possibility that the blockage of sperm production is irreversible, something similar to the use of anabolic steroids and testosterone replacement”, says Paladino.

The expert emphasizes that at first there have been reports of cases of side effects in mice, with the exception of azoospermia, which is the objective of the treatment. But that after the end of testing and release, less frequent side effects may occur.

“Every treatment generates resistance, both from the scientific community and from users. But we are in a society that changes values ​​quickly. I see greater resistance to the method due to the fact that continuous and daily use is required, similar to female oral contraceptives, as this mode of use predisposes to forgetfulness and an increase in “failures” due to inappropriate use”, says Paladino.

The urologist reinforces that, in any case, the new drug does not protect against STDs and this must be taken into account when using it in the future.

“New treatments are always welcome, however we need to wait for their release outside the research environment. On the male side, today we only have vasectomy and condoms with the aim of contraception”, concludes the expert.