A new study published today in the journal PLOS ONE details how a compound called EP055 binds to sperm proteins to significantly slow the overall mobility of the sperm without affecting hormones, making EP055 a potential "male pill" without side effects effective safe sorts of beginning control presently to be had for guys.

"simply put, the compound turns-off the sperm's capability to swim, considerably limiting fertilization skills," stated lead investigator michael o'rand, phd, retired professor of mobile biology and body structure in the college of north carolina at chapel hill college of medication, and president/ceo of eppin pharma, inc. "this makes ep055 a perfect candidate for non-hormonal male contraception."

currently, condoms and surgical vasectomy are the most effective safe sorts of beginning control presently to be had for guys. there are hormonal pills in medical trials that target the production of sperm, however these affect the herbal hormones in guys much like lady contraceptives have an effect on hormones in girls.

during the take a look at, thirty hours following a excessive-dose intravenous infusion of ep055 in male rhesus macaques, o'rand and researchers inside the oregon countrywide primate studies center at ohsu in portland, oregon, located no indication of ordinary sperm motility. similarly, no bodily side consequences had been located.

"at 18 days post-infusion, all macaques confirmed signs and symptoms of whole recuperation, suggesting that the ep055 compound is indeed reversible," said examine co-investigator mary zelinski, phd, studies companion professor on the onprc at ohsu and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the ohsu school of drugs.

o'rand and zelinski indicate that extra paintings is wanted before ep055 becomes available for human use. they and their teams have began to check a tablet shape of the compound and will ultimately conduct a mating trial of ep055's effectiveness against pregnancy.