Inhibition of ROS1 activity with lorlatinib reversibly suppresses fertility in male mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inhibition of sperm maturation in the epididymis is a promising post-testicular strategy for short-acting male contraceptives. It has been shown that ROS1, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in the epididymis, is essential for epididymal differentiation, sperm maturation, and male fertility in mice. However, it is unknown if inhibition of ROS1 suppresses male fertility reversibly.

Objectives

Our study aimed to investigate the effects of ROS1 inhibitor administration in male mice on sperm function and fertility.

Materials and methods

We used lorlatinib, an anti-cancer drug that inhibits ROS1. We treated 10-week-old sexually mature male mice with lorlatinib for 3 weeks and performed fertility tests, histological staining, in vitro fertilization, sperm motil

SUBMITTER: Oyama Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12476209 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature