Scientists working on safe male contraceptive

The day may be not far-off when males can take birth control pills without fearing side-effects.

Qinglei Li, assistant professor in Texas A&M s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, made the discovery as part of the team led by Martin Matzuk at Baylor College of Medicine and James Bradner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Working on mice, the team found that a compound called JQ1 inhibits sperm production and also sperm mobility. "Both of these are needed for fertility, but JQ1 prevents both," Li says of the findings, the journal Cell reports.

"It stopped the sperm production very dramatically. More good news is that there appear to be no side-effects whatsoever. Once the JQ1 was no longer given to the mice, they were back to their normal reproduction rates, and it did not affect mating behaviour or the health of the offspring," says Li, according to a Texas statement.

As with many discoveries, the JQ1 compound appears to have come about by accident. It was originally used for anti-cancer treatments, but researchers found it was also an excellent compound in controlling fertility.

While many men might be reluctant to take out the trash or ask for directions if they are lost, recent studies have shown that about 70 percent of men would be willing to take a birth control pill if it were available.

One drawback to many female contraceptives is that they sometimes interfere with hormones, especially estrogen. But Li says the team is confident that JQ1 does not affect testosterone levels in men, and appears to have no other side effects as well.

"A compound with more specificity will be needed before clinical trials can be done for humans. It does not mean a male birth control pill just yet, but it is a great step forward in that direction," adds Li.