Ecobreves – MEXICO: Researching a Male Contraceptive

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MEXICO CITY, Nov 17 2008 (IPS) - Mexican researchers are developing a pharmaceutical that could be used as a male contraceptive, and which also promises to be an effective method to control populations of rats, dogs and cats. ATD lowers sperm production to levels that impede reproduction. However, tests remain to be conducted to rule out side effects, Adriana Morales, reproductive biology researcher at the Autonomous Metropolitan University told Tierramérica.

If the research — now limited to rats — proves successful, in a few years there could be a totally safe male contraceptive pill, says Morales.

In the case of animals, the scientists found that if the drug is applied while still in the womb, the male offspring are born infertile, but normal in all other aspects.