A new male birth control pill without hormones is being tested for the first time.
The pill, YCT-529, is showing promising results in animals by reducing sperm production with minimal side effects.
Male mice see a nearly 100% decrease in pregnancies in their partners within a month of taking the pill.
Male monkeys need a higher dose but also see a significant drop in sperm count without severe side effects.
The pill doesn’t affect important hormones for sperm production like testosterone.
Researchers are hopeful about this non-hormonal birth control option for men.
A clinical trial in New Zealand is progressing well, with plans to move to the next phase soon.
The pill works by targeting a specific protein to limit side effects.
Other non-hormonal male birth control options are also being explored.
Men are eager to share the responsibility of birth control, and new options give them that chance.
Vocabulary List:
- Promising /ˈprɑː.mɪ.sɪŋ/ (adjective): Showing signs of future success or potential.
- Production /prəˈdʌk.ʃən/ (noun): The process of creating or manufacturing something.
- Significant /sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/ (adjective): Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
- Eager /ˈiː.ɡər/ (adjective): Having or showing keen interest or intense desire.
- Hormonal /hɔːrˈmoʊ.nəl/ (adjective): Relating to hormones which are regulatory substances in the body.
- Clinical /ˈklɪn.ɪ.kəl/ (adjective): Relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies.
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