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SAR's ray of hope for infertile men

Hong Kong scientists believe they have discovered a gene that could eventually help cure male infertility.

Chinese University scientists, who carried out the research in conjunction with scientists from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, hope this ground-breaking discovery will lead to the production of pills that will not only cure infertility but, with reverse application, also serve as a male contraceptive.

One of the scientists, physiology professor Chan Hsiao-chang, said more than 30 pharmaceutical companies had already expressed an interest in their findings.

Professor Chan said it was reasonable to believe that drugs derived from work on the gene could be used on humans in about 10 years time. So far tests have only been done on rats.

She said the method would produce a convenient alternative to current clinical methods of infertility treatment, such as artificial insemination.

The discovery of the gene is significant as one in 10 married couples around the world are infertile. Professor Chan said this affected at least 50 million people a year.

She also quoted World Health Organisation figures that put the number of women who suffer unwanted pregnancies every year at 120 million.

She said the gene controlled the maturation process of sperm and had a defensive function against bacterial infection, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Professor Chan said a similar gene to the one found in rats had been found in men but more research was needed. She said about five to 10 per cent of men suffered from epididymitis - infection of the epididymis, an organ in the testicles involved in sperm maturation. About 40 per cent of sufferers were infertile. She said this showed that effective treatment was needed.

Professor Sung Jao-yiu, the chairman of the university's research committee, appealed for more government funding to continue the research.

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