British scientists have made a breakthrough in the search for a male contraceptive pill which could transform the sex lives of millions of couples. 

 

英国科学家在男性避孕药方面实现重大突破，将改变数百万夫妇的性生活。

 

For decades, researchers have tried to produce a reliable alternative to condoms or a vasectomy, but there has been little progress. 

 

Now UK scientists have found the secret of making men temporarily infertile¹ by switching off sperms³ ability to swim. 

 

They have made tiny designer compounds which smuggle⁴ themselves into sperm², and stop their tails from wiggling. 

 

If a sperm can't swim, it has no chance of naturally fertilising a woman's egg. 

 

The breakthrough made by British scientists could be the key to rendering⁵ men temporarily infertile. 

 

It might become possible for them to pop a pill that stops their sperm from swimming. 

 

The key advance raises the prospect⁶ of a fast-acting pill or a nasal spray that a man could take hours or perhaps just minutes before sex. 

 

Researchers believe its effects would wear off within days, meaning he would again be fertile. 

 

By contrast, women are typically advised to stop taking the Pill weeks or even months before trying to conceive.

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