A special molecule makes it impossible for a sperm to penetrate the egg. This opens up new possibilities in terms of contraception.
To fuse with an egg, a sperm’s surface tension must change. For this, the sperm needs an ion channel that smuggles potassium ions out of the cell’s interior at the right time. A potentially new contraceptive aims to paralyze this channel and thus prevent the sperm from penetrating the egg. So it reads in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” (PNAS).
Until now, it was not known which channel takes on the task of transporting potassium ions. The team led by Celia Santi of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has now managed to locate it and has discovered a molecule designed to specifically inhibit this channel called SLO3: VU0546110. According to the study, a contraceptive could be developed based on this, but it is not yet clear how this would be done. A kind of pill is conceivable for men to be taken immediately before intercourse. However, there is still a long way to go from knowledge to practical implementation.
No side effects to worry about
One benefit of the molecule is that it inhibits a channel found exclusively in sperm. Consequently, side effects on cells in other tissues are not to be feared for the time being. The potential is praised by other scientists. It remains unclear whether the potential pill is actually good for men or whether it would be even more effective for women to take it. Because the active ingredient would first have to fulfill its function in the female body.
It is only in the last year that there has been a great success in terms of male contraceptives. For example, a contraceptive gel was found that prevents sperm from escaping the vas deferens. Studies in mice also suggested a breakthrough in the male pill. In any case, the discovery of the VU0546110 molecule also requires further investigation.
(evdin)