Medical

Breakthrough male contraceptive pill derived from Chinese medicine

Breakthrough male contraceptive pill derived from Chinese medicine
A compound called triptonide is showing promise as a male contraceptive pill
A compound called triptonide is showing promise as a male contraceptive pill
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A compound called triptonide is showing promise as a male contraceptive pill
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A compound called triptonide is showing promise as a male contraceptive pill

For decades, women have largely carried the responsibility for contraception thanks to the pill, but a male equivalent has long eluded scientists. Now a new breakthrough could lead to a safe, effective and reversible male contraceptive pill, as a compound from traditional Chinese medicine has been shown in tests to render mice and monkeys temporarily infertile.

The compound in question is called triptonide, which is extracted from a Chinese herb known as T. wilfordii Hook F. Traditionally the herb has been used to treat ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, but since the 1980s it’s been reported that men taking the supplement over several months have displayed infertility. Obviously that’s an unfortunate side effect for treating arthritis, but it’s exactly what you need in a male contraceptive.

So for the new study, the researchers investigated how effective it might be in that role. The team examined 10 compounds from this herb and singled out triptonide as the most ideal contraceptive candidate.

In animal tests, the team found that a single daily oral dose rendered male mice infertile within three to four weeks, and monkeys in five to six weeks. The compound seems to work by deforming almost 100 percent of the test animals’ sperm so they can no longer swim forwards, throwing an effective spanner in their journey to the egg.

“Thanks to decades of basic research, which inspired us to develop the idea that a compound that targets a protein critical for the last several steps of sperm assembly would lead to the production of nonfunctional sperm without causing severe depletion of testicular cells,” says Dr. Wei Yan, lead author of the study. “We are very excited that the new idea worked and that this compound appears to be an ideal male contraceptive.”

The team says that triptonide ticks all the right boxes. Not only is it effective and easy to take as a pill, but it’s non-hormonal, so it shouldn’t result in any unwanted mood or behavioral changes. No toxic side effects were noted either, and perhaps most importantly, the process is completely reversible – when the treatment is halted, fertility returns within four to six weeks.

Triptonide is far from the only male contraceptive in development. Many other compounds have been investigated that disrupt sperm development or movement, with some already showing promise in human clinical trials. Other methods involve ultrasound pulses that kill off sperm, gel injections that block their release long-term, or self-applied gels that have the bonus of boosting libido.

The team on the new study hope to begin human clinical trials of triptonide soon.

The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Source: The Lundquist Institute

4 comments
4 comments
Brian M
Not sure how useful it will be - Would require the woman to fully trust the man to take the dose each day. At least with the female contraceptive they know they are not at risk of pregnancy (ignoring natures ability to create life irrespective what we do to counter it).

Big plus is that it might not have the same downsides as the female hormone based contraceptives and
perfect for footballers, other male celebrities and politicians who want to avoid the baby trap gravy train!
guzmanchinky
I've always said that a reliable cheap and non side effect birth control for men could change the world. Men want sex, not babies (usually) and often the reverse is true of women. And men typically hate using condoms as well. If I were younger I would definitely try this... What this world really really needs is less unwanted babies, and less people in general...
Wombat56
unlike the female pill, I suspect that once the dosage routine is established it wouldn't matter if the male missed an occasional day as there would be a residual effect.

One certain way for the female to make sure he took it is for her to say, "swallow this or won't be getting any."

The Simpsons have covered this sort of infertility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snq4MuAFX1Y
buzzclick
"compound seems to work by deforming almost 100 percent of the test animals’ sperm so they can no longer swim forwards"
Alright, this is definitely phobic. The persecuted male sperm is not going to put up with this subjugation of our purpose in life to breed! lol