Although rare, these disorders are serious. It’s estimated that around one in every 5,000 babies is affected by a mitochondrial condition, and for many families, the risk of passing it on is significant. Until recently, options for prevention were extremely limited.

That’s where mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) comes in. Sometimes referred to as three-parent IVF, this technique offers a way to stop these diseases from being inherited in the first place—by replacing the faulty mitochondria with healthy ones from a donor.

How It Works: Rebuilding an Egg Cell

The process starts with an egg from the mother that contains her nuclear DNA but also has mutated mitochondria. Doctors first remove the nuclear DNA, leaving behind the defective mitochondria. They then take a donor egg—which has healthy mitochondria—and remove its nucleus, keeping the healthy mitochondrial material intact.

Next, the mother’s nuclear DNA is inserted into the donor egg. The reconstructed egg now carries almost all of its genetic code from the intended parents and only a small amount from the donor. This egg is then fertilized with the father’s sperm, resulting in an embryo that has the nuclear DNA of the mother and father, and mitochondrial DNA from the donor.

In terms of genetics, the child will have over 99.9% of their DNA from their biological parents. The remaining fraction—less than 0.1%—comes from the mitochondrial donor, and it only affects cellular energy production, not personal traits or appearance.

Why It Matters: Stopping Disease Before It Starts

Unlike treatments that try to manage symptoms, this technique aims to prevent mitochondrial diseases entirely. For families with a history of these disorders, it’s a way to have a genetically related child without the fear of passing on a life-threatening condition.

The method has strict eligibility requirements. It’s only used when there’s a high risk of mitochondrial disease and when other reproductive technologies are unlikely to work. It’s not a tool for genetic enhancement or selection, but a targeted fix for a specific medical problem.

The UK’s Role and Global Outlook

In 2015, the UK became the first country to legalize mitochondrial replacement therapy under regulatory oversight. Clinics like the Newcastle Fertility Centre have since been allowed to offer the procedure under a license, making the UK the only country where MRT is permitted as part of regular medical care.

Although other countries, including the US and Australia, have shown interest in the technology, they have not yet approved it for clinical use. In the US, MRT is currently restricted to research settings.

Lingering Questions and Long-Term Monitoring

While the technique is promising, it is not without uncertainties. A tiny amount of the mother’s faulty mitochondria can sometimes be transferred along with the nucleus, though early results suggest this “carry-over” is minimal and unlikely to cause harm.

Still, long-term follow-up is essential. Scientists are monitoring the health of children born through MRT to better understand how these small amounts of mutant mitochondria behave over time and whether any risks could emerge later in life—or even in future generations.

[Source: 1,2]

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YCT-529, created by YourChoice Therapeutics together with researchers from the University of Minnesota and Columbia University, is the first non-hormonal male contraceptive available in pill form. Instead, it works by selectively inhibiting retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-α), a protein necessary for sperm production.

This innovative approach sets it apart from previous male contraceptive efforts, which primarily focused on hormonal methods that interfere with testosterone.

Promising Research and Clinical Trials

The research on YCT-529, published in Communications Medicine, has demonstrated its high efficacy and safety in animal studies.

Tests on mice found that the drug effectively prevented pregnancy within four weeks by blocking a key protein (RAR-α) needed for sperm production. Importantly, once the drug was stopped, fertility returned to normal within six weeks.

In larger animals (non-human primates), YCT-529 also lowered sperm production within two weeks, and there were no noticeable side effects. When the drug was discontinued, sperm levels fully returned to normal within 10–15 weeks.

These findings suggest that YCT-529 could be a reliable, reversible birth control option for men without the risks associated with hormone-based methods.

YourChoice Therapeutics completed the phase 1 clinical trial in 2024, which assessed the safety and tolerability of YCT-529 in humans. The trial, conducted in partnership with Quotient Sciences in the UK, involved 16 male participants and confirmed that the drug was well-tolerated with no significant side effects.

Based on these results, researchers have now moved forward with further testing, including additional studies in mice and non-human primates, to refine dosage and evaluate long-term effects. The next step is a human clinical trial, which will involve a larger group of human participants to further assess the drug’s effectiveness and safety.

Why YCT-529 Matters

Traditional male birth control research has focused on hormonal methods, which suppress testosterone to reduce sperm production. However, hormonal approaches often cause side effects such as weight gain, acne, mood changes, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, testosterone suppression does not completely eliminate sperm production and can vary in effectiveness based on individual genetic factors. YCT-529 avoids these risks by targeting a non-hormonal pathway, making it a potentially safer and more appealing option for men.

The demand for male contraceptive options has grown in recent years. Surveys indicate that many men and women view contraception as a shared responsibility, yet male options remain severely limited.

With nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. being unplanned, introducing a reliable and reversible male contraceptive could have a significant impact on reproductive health. Expanding male contraceptive options would also help alleviate the burden on women, who have traditionally faced the majority of contraceptive side effects and responsibilities.

What’s Next for Male Birth Control Pills?

As additional preclinical studies continue, researchers and investors are optimistic about YCT-529’s potential. If proven safe and effective in phase 2 clinical trials, this pill could provide men with a convenient, reversible birth control method for the first time.

Future trials will focus on long-term effects, user adherence, and overall satisfaction with the male birth control pill.

[Source: 1,2]

The post The First Hormone-Free Male Birth Control Pill Advances in Clinical Trials appeared first on Medical Journal Daily.

Tampons, used by a vast majority of menstruators in the U.S., have been found to contain contaminants that can easily enter the bloodstream due to the absorptive nature of vaginal tissue. This raises concerns about long-term health impacts, especially since tampons are used extensively throughout a woman’s reproductive years.

“Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management.

In their study, published in the journal Environment International, Shearston and her team from Berkeley and Columbia University analyzed 30 tampons from 14 different brands, evaluating the presence of 16 heavy metals. The findings were troubling, as heavy metals, including lead, were detected across all tampon types and brands.

“There is no safe exposure level to lead,” the researchers noted. “Any proportion of lead that may leach out of a tampon and reach systemic circulation might contribute to negative health outcomes.”

Lead, a naturally occurring toxic metal, can replace calcium in bones and teeth, remaining in the body for decades. Over time, it can accumulate and re-enter the bloodstream, causing various health issues. Lead exposure is linked to neurological and cardiovascular conditions, kidney problems, blood and immune system issues, and reproductive health concerns.

“Of particular note, even low-level exposure to lead can result in neurobehavioral impacts in adults and children, including decreased cognitive function such as impaired attention, memory, and learning ability,” the researchers highlighted.

Children and unborn fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, with the potential for lead stored in a mother’s bones to re-enter her bloodstream during pregnancy.

The study found that non-organic tampons, those with plastic applicators, and those with higher absorbencies had the highest levels of lead. This indicates a potential increased risk for women using these products.

“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products, and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products,” said Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

The exact mechanism by which these metals enter tampons is not entirely understood. Researchers suggest contamination could occur during various stages of the manufacturing process, with metals being absorbed by cotton through water, air, and soil, or added through pigmentation and whitening processes.

Further investigation is needed to determine how much, if any, of these metals are absorbed into the body from tampons.

“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals. It would be exciting to see the public call for this, or to ask for better labeling on tampons and other menstrual products,” Schilling emphasized.

The study underscores the need for increased regulation and testing of menstrual products to ensure they are safe for use, protecting women’s health from potentially harmful exposures.

References:

• Shearston, J., Schilling, K., et al. (2024). “Toxic Metal in Tampons: An Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination in Menstrual Products”. Environment International.
• Newsweek (2024). “Toxic Metal in Tampons Risks Brain’s Cognitive Function, Scientists Warn”.

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Sperm counts in men have been declining for decades, with 40% of low counts remaining unexplained. Many studies have implicated chemical pollution as a contributing factor. This new research adds to the growing evidence that microplastics could be a significant threat to male reproductive health.

Recent studies in Italy and China have also found microplastics in the semen of young men. In addition, research on mice has shown that microplastics can reduce sperm count and cause abnormalities and hormone disruption. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure may pose a chronic, cumulative risk to male reproductive health.

The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, detected eight different types of plastics in the semen samples. Polystyrene, commonly used for packaging, was the most prevalent, followed by polyethylene and PVC. These particles may cause inflammation in tissue or harm through the chemicals they release.

Microplastics have been found in various human tissues, including blood, placentas, and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination. The full impact on health is still unknown, but laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can damage human cells.

Millions of tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into the environment, breaking down into microplastics that pollute the entire planet. People ingest these particles through food, water, and air. Ning Li of Qingdao University in China, a lead researcher in the study, emphasized the need for further research: “As emerging research increasingly implicates microplastic exposure as a potential factor impacting human health, understanding the extent of human contamination and its relation to reproductive outcomes is imperative.”

Luigi Montano of the University of Rome, who led a related study in Italy, echoed the call for action: “Intervention is necessary to stop the exponential increase in plastic waste. If microplastic pollution impacts the critical reproductive process, it may prove to be even worse for our species in the not-too-distant future.”

More than 180 nations are negotiating a UN treaty to regulate plastic use and cut pollution, highlighting the global recognition of the problem. As research on microplastics and their effects on human health continues, the urgency to address this issue grows.

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