A contraceptive for males that is NOT a condom

A hormone-free drug tested in male mice might someday prove viable for men who want their own birth-control pill, according to new research.

The compound stifles sperm production but not sexual activity, fertility returns once treatment stops and males can go on to father healthy offspring, the researchers say.

Strictly speaking, the new drug is not yet a male "pill," explained lead researcher Dr. James Bradner, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

"The molecule used in this study, JQ1, is a prototype drug," Bradner said, explaining it is not intended for human use. "We have successfully administered the agent to animals by mouth, but notably in this research, JQ1 was injected into the belly of the mice and rats studied."

JQ1 works by targeting a protein called BRDT that functions in the testes and is vital for fertility. Unlike previous drugs, JQI can physically reach the cells that make sperm. Sperm cell production drops in number and surviving sperm don't work as well.

Researchers injected the rodents over an 18-month period and found they were mating as much as ever, but were completely infertile at higher does of JQ1. After treatment ended, they were again able to sire apparently healthy offspring.

"Mice can only report a few obvious symptoms," Bradner said, "but with that caveat we do not observe any developmental or behavioral effects on offspring."

The results have implications for men as well as mice.

Diana Blithe, program director for contraceptive development at the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, called the new findings "exciting."

"I'm pleased anytime I see something that is completely effective and completely reversible," Blithe said.

Males need more contraceptive options, she said.

The researchers note that studies in animals often fail to provide similar results in humans, and this new form of birth control won't be ready for humans in the near future.

"The development of a drug-like derivative of JQ1 will require at least a few years of dedicated chemistry and biology, though we may derive early insights from cancer clinical trials of structurally similar agents," Bradner said.

Blithe agreed. "This is an indication of an incredibly promising lead from a really talented group of investigators," she said. "I think it represents one of several opportunities and targets and agents that we have identified that could work as a male contraceptive."

However, she added, "it's going to be many years before we see anything that could approach a product on the market because the level of safety for developing a contraceptive is very, very high. You're giving it to healthy people for a very long period of time … [so] you have to have a product that's very effective and not going to cause side effects.

Would you allow your male partner to look after the contraception in your relationship?