Male pill: Infertility gene discovery may lead to contraceptive
COURTESY: Times Of India Scientists have found a gene that plays a key role in production of healthy sperm, a breakthrough that could pave way for developing a new contraceptive pill for men. LONDON: Scottish scientists have discovered a gene that plays a key role in production of healthy sperm, a breakthrough they say could soon pave the way for developing a new contraceptive pill for men. In experiments on mice, researchers at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh found a gene, called Katnal1, which was vital for the final stages of sperm production. Detailing their findings in the journal PLos Genetics, the researchers said a drug which interrupts Katnal1 could be a reversible contraceptive. Contraception in men is largely down to condoms or a vasectomy, but experts said there was "certainly a need" for such a drug, the BBC reported. The researchers were actually investigating the causes of male infertility, for which they r...