Researchers discover potential male birth control pill

For years, some women have complained that there is a need for a male birth control pill, since this would allow couples to choose which partner would take a daily oral contraceptive. Now, a recent study published in the journal Endocrinology had indicated that this may soon be possible, after a group of Columbia University researchers discovered a compound that could stop sperm production in mice.

According to the study's results, low doses of a compound that interferes with retinoic acid receptors halts the process of spermatogenesis, which is necessary for sperm production. The ligands are metabolites of dietary vitamin A found in the compound were the cause of sterility in male mice, the researchers explained.

The investigators said that one important finding was that fertility resumed in the mice once they stopped treatment, which is key for a human contraceptive.

"An additional benefit of our compound is that it can be taken orally as a pill, avoiding the injection process. It also appears to have a very rapid effect on sperm production and an even more rapid recovery when fertility is desired," said lead researcher Sanny S. W. Chung.