In a new paper published by Nature Communication, Lundquist Institute (TLI) researcher Wei Yan, MD, PhD, and his research colleagues outline an innovative strategy that has led to the discovery of natural fertilizers as a male contraceptive agent safe, effective, and reversible in preclinical animal models.
Despite great efforts over the past decades, progress in developing non-hormonal male side effects has been very limited.
The triptonide fertilizer, which can be purified from a Chinese herb called Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F, or extracted through chemical synthesis.
Daily single oral doses of triptonide induce altered sperm with minimal forward motility by nearly 100% and result in male infertility in 3-4 and 5-6 weeks.
As soon as treatment is stopped, the males become pregnant again in ~ 4-6 weeks, and can produce healthy offspring. No known toxic effects were detected either in short-term or long-term triptonide treatment.
All of their data suggest that triptonide is a promising non-hormonal male contraceptive agent for men as it appears to meet all the criteria for an active contraceptive drug candidate, including bio-accessibility, efficiency, reversibility and safety.
A battery of biochemical analyzes suggests that triptonide targets one of the last stages during sperm accumulation, leading to altered sperm production without the vital motility necessary for fertilization.
Thanks to decades of basic research, we were inspired to develop the idea that protein-targeted fertilizers that are essential for the last several stages of sperm accumulation would lead to inactive sperm production. without causing massive infiltration of testicular cells. “
Wei Yan, MD, PhD, Research Analyst, Lundquist Institute (TLI)
“We are very pleased that the new idea has worked and that this fertilizer appears to be a very good male protector. Our results using noninvasive studies of lower primates suggest triptonide will also be an effective treatment for human males. We hope to be able to begin human clinical trials soon to achieve the non-hormonal male contraceptive. “
“Dr. Yan’s discovery represents a huge leap forward in the field,” Drs. Christina Wang and Ronald Swerdloff, who are BMW co-principals helping to lead NIH-supported advanced clinical trials on hormone-based birth control methods. “The more contraceptive methods available, the better, as we want a family of medicinal products to safely and effectively meet the family planning needs of men and couples at different stages of their reproductive life, with different racial, cultural and religious and economic backgrounds meaning, ”Wang and Swerdloff stressed.
Source:
Magazine Reference:
Chang, Z., et al. (2021) Triptonide is a reversible non-hormonal male contraceptive agent in mice and nonhuman primates. Nature Communication. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21517-5.