Bambi Eloriaga-Amago
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting a certain protein renders males infertile. This protein, called calcineurin, is responsible for activating immunity in cells, but it also plays a part in male fertility.
Recently, scientists were able to isolate the specific protein isoform responsible only for fertility. Researchers at Osaka University conducted studies on this specific isoform in great detail. They found that if the gene was inhibited in male mice, it rendered them infertile but still able to copulate.
Furthermore, they found that the calcineurin-depleted sperm couldn’t swim well and was not able to penetrate the membrane surrounding egg cells. This meant the sperm could not fertilize the egg.
There are currently two immunosuppressant drugs in the market known to inhibit calcineurin, which are commonly used after an organ transplant procedure. There have been reports that men who’ve been given the drugs were rendered infertile in as quickly as four to five days into the treatment.
However, with the mice used during research, scientists found that when they stopped administering drugs, the mice became fertile again after about a week.
These findings could be of significant importance to the development of a male contraceptive drug that has reversible effects, should the person consider parenthood. It could be a viable option against vasectomy, a procedure that is meant to be permanent.
