What is it about?
We have shown in mice that disruption of the Hiat1 gene results in male sterility because the mutant mice cannot complete the end stage of sperm formation.
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Why is it important?
This work is important as the mutant mice produce low numbers of sperm that have misshapen round heads very similar to those found in some men with a fertility problem. Thus, the mice are a good model for this human condition and highlight that mutations in the HIAT1 gene might cause inferility in men. In addition, the mutant mice show that the HIAT1 protein could be a potential target for the development of a novel male contraceptive.
Perspectives
In an egalitarian society, it would be best to have oral contraceptives that can be used by either sex rather than just women. The time has come to try to develop an effective and safe male contaceptive. As well as this contraceptive being used by men, it would also be useful to help control feral cat and dog polulations in some countries.
William Colledge
University of Cambridge
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Mfsd14a(Hiat1) gene disruption causes globozoospermia and infertility in male mice, Reproduction, April 2016, Bioscientifica,
DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0557.
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