Important Gene For Healthy Sperm Production Identified

Scientists have identified a key gene in mice that is essential for the production of healthy sperm. The findings, they hope, may lead to a more efficient and safe non-hormonal male contraceptive.

The scientists determined that the gene known as Katnal1 played a key role in the final stages of sperm production.The gene is necessary for the production of a protein that cells need to produce healthy sperm. The sperm do not properly develop without the gene and the body simply ends up disposing them. 

"If we can find a way to target this gene in the testes, we could potentially develop a non-hormonal contraceptive," said one of the researchers to the BBC.

By targeting this gene, scientists can produce a reversible contraceptive. The gene only plays a role in the late stages, and deactivation of it would not affect the early stages of sperm development. This means that the person's ability to produce sperm would not be affected, and reactivation could lead to healthy sperm production again.

The study was spearheaded by the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and was looking for a cause to male infertility.

The scientists randomly altered genes in mice and checked which ones became infertile. Eventually, they pinpointed the genel Katnal1 as being responsible.

The implementation of this would be difficult, however, as the protein actually lives inside of the sperm-producing cells. The trick would be to finding something else that interacted with this protein.

Currently, the vast majority of contraceptives for men are either condoms or a vasectomy.