Birth Control For Men Edges Closer 407
ananyo writes "Developing oral contraceptives for men has not gone as swiftly as researchers imagined in the early 1970s; they suggested at the time that a 'male pill' was not far off. But researchers now report a new way to make male mice temporarily infertile. Although the treatment is not ready for human use, the method avoids some of the pitfalls of earlier attempts. The technique appears to have a much more specific action than previous methods: it impairs sperm production by blocking a protein called BRDT. This protein was singled out as a potential therapeutic target five years ago because it only occurs in the testes, where it is required for the division of sperm cells. If the approach proves safe in humans, it would be an improvement over hormone-based methods of male contraception, which are not completely effective and cause side effects such as mood swings, acne and a loss of libido (abstract). On the downside, however, the compound 'shrank the mice's testes.'"
Nice tagline... (Score:5, Funny)
"No major side effects; it'll only shrink your testicles!"
Mod this story as Redundant (Score:4, Funny)
Its not like most slashdotters are getting any.
With no mention.... (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:5, Funny)
I have the perfect drug for male contraception (Score:5, Funny)
it's called try being married for twelve years.
Re:Nice tagline... (Score:5, Funny)
it's usually the dangly thing ABOVE the balls that matters
This? [daily-newswire.com]
Re:Nice tagline... (Score:5, Funny)
Exit polls are notoriously unreliable.
Relative size (Score:5, Funny)
By making your balls smaller it will make other things in that area appear larger.
Re:But, why? (Score:5, Funny)
On the downside, however, the compound 'shrank the mice's testes
Without commercial potential, what is this going to be used for?
This didn't stop FaceBook going public, did it?
Re:Nice tagline... (Score:5, Funny)
it's usually the dangly thing ABOVE the balls that matters
This? [daily-newswire.com]
I hadn't realized that the need for male contraceptive was to prevent male pregnancy.
Re:But, why? (Score:5, Funny)
"Have you ever seen mice balls?!"
Yes, back in the day before optical mice we had to clean them (and the rollers) regularly if you want a smooth moving pointer.
Of course this was before most people on this forum were born
now get off my lawn
Re:Wishful thinking (Score:4, Funny)
Now I love Slashdot has much as the next geekette, but your wife is a far braver soul than I. There's no way I'd let a UID be tattooed on my uterus! Especially since they're up to 7 digits these days!
How long till we can get this added to all alcohol (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Nice tagline... (Score:5, Funny)
it's well known that men (even sort-of men) give the best head.
takes one to know one, that sort of thing.
what are you afraid of? it's not gay unless balls are touching, and according to TFA the odds have significantly improved.