Reproductive Health
Chemical Postmaster Helps Deliver Contraceptive to
Testis
In one of the Population
Council’s reproductive health biomedical labs, biochemist and cell biologist
C. Yan Cheng and his colleagues have found a way to target a new drug, known
as Adjudin, to the testis in rats. This method prevents conception in males
without interfering with hormones, resulting in fewer side effects.
Reproductive Health
Partner-Delivered Therapy Viable in Resource-Poor
Areas
In South Africa and Brazil, the Population Council has
recently studied alternative methods of notifying partners of women with
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that they need treatment. These
studies have verified that offering women with STIs the option of
bringing medicines to their partners, rather than requiring partners to
come to the clinic, results in high treatment rates.
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Biomedicine
Council Biologist Discovers Stem Leydig Cells
Population Council
reproductive biologist Matthew P. Hardy and his colleagues have discovered
the precursors of Leydig cells, the primary source of testosterone in males.
These precursor cells, known as stem Leydig cells, were isolated from rats.
Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are derived from embryos, these stem
cells were found in fully developed animals. Stem Leydig cells could
potentially be used to treat hypogonadal boys and men who suffer from
male-hormone deficiency.
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Biomedicine
Council Researchers Wrestle with SUMO
Little is understood about the molecular
mechanisms that regulate sperm production—knowledge that would be key to
the development of male contraceptives. Recent research conducted in the
laboratory of Patricia L. Morris, a cell biologist and pharmacologist at the
Population Council’s Center for Biomedical Research, suggests that a protein
known as SUMO-1 is involved in numerous aspects of this process. Gaining a
greater understanding of SUMO’s role in producing sperm, or spermatogenesis,
may lead to insights about male infertility and reveal potential targets for
male contraception.
Biomedicine
Low Chemical Exposure May Speed Male Puberty
A recent, much-publicized study highlighted the adverse
effects that prenatal exposure to chemicals known as phthalates has on
the genital development of male infants. Population Council biomedical
researchers are now studying the effect of prepubertal exposure to these
chemicals on the onset of male puberty. They have found that
exposure to low levels of phthalates can
alter the levels of testosterone (the male sex hormone), increase the
proliferation of cells in the testes, and significantly accelerate the
onset of male puberty. Phthalates are chemicals
used to make plastics—such as those used in food packaging and infant
toys—more flexible. They are also used as stabilizers in many common
cosmetic products, such as nail polish, shampoo, and lotion.
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Maternal and Child Health
Mixed Success Involving Men in Maternal Care Worldwide
In most locales around the world, whether in developing or
developed countries, men are little involved in their partners’ health
care during pregnancy. Research has shown, however, that women would
like their partners to be more involved and that, in many cases, men are
interested in being involved. Increased male participation could yield
health benefits for men, women, and children. In recognition of this
situation, the Population Council’s Frontiers in Reproductive Health
program conducted two “Men in Maternity” studies in disparate
settings—one in India and the other in South Africa—to engage male
partners in health services during the antenatal and postpartum periods.
Although the intervention in India was more successful than the one in
South Africa, valuable lessons were learned in both countries.
2000
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HIV Prevention
More Data Needed Before Male
Circumcision Is Advocated
A growing body of research shows that uncircumcised men
in certain parts of Africa are twice as likely as circumcised men
to be HIV infected. These findings suggest that male circumcision
may offer a measure of protection against HIV infection, and public
health experts have begun to debate the possibility of encouraging
male circumcision as an anti-HIV intervention. To explore this issue,
the Population Council’s Horizons Project organized a two-day meeting
of scientists from around the world. The meeting’s participants
identified several cultural, medical, and ethical issues that should
be explored before the procedure is recommended as an intervention.
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