🧬 Scientists Test Male Birth Control Pills
U.S. researchers have successfully completed the first human trial of YCT-529, a non-hormonal drug that temporarily stops sperm production without affecting testosterone.
"Studies and surveys continue to show that men want to share the burden of pregnancy prevention with their partners," said Akash Bakshi, CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics. "But they have just one non-permanent contraceptive option—condoms—and it's 170 years old."
🛑 The drug blocks RARα, a protein essential for sperm development. When this receptor is switched off, sperm production halts, much like in vitamin A deficiency, but without impacting hormones or other body functions.
In animal studies, male mice became infertile within four weeks, with fertility returning 4–6 weeks after treatment stopped. In primates, the process took 10–15 weeks. The first human trial, involving 16 volunteers, confirmed the safety of the drug and found no serious side effects.
