Society for the Study of Reproduction’s 2025 Annual Meeting

The Society for the Study of Reproduction’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC brought together leading researchers and emerging voices to share the latest in reproductive biology. This year’s presentations highlighted exciting progress in non-hormonal contraceptive development, novel screening platforms, and translational models for both female and male contraception. The first day of the conference featured a Gates Foundation-sponsored morning session on female contraceptive methods, followed by an afternoon session focused on male methods. Here are a few highlights:

Female Contraception Highlights

• Validating the Non-Human Primate as a Model for Testing Non-Hormonal Contraception: Dr. Leo Han of OHSU emphasized the anatomical and physiological relevance of non-human primates in contraceptive research. His team’s artificial cycling model enhances the translatability of preclinical findings.
• A Drosophila ovulation platform for screening nonhormonal female contraceptives: Using a Drosophila ovulation platform, Dr. Jianjun Sun’s team at the University of Connecticut screened over 20,000 compounds and identified 13 that inhibit follicle rupture in both flies and mice, offering a scalable model for non-hormonal contraceptive discovery.
• Uterine Fluid Retention as a Mechanism for RU486 as a Contraceptive: Taylor E. Martin’s research at University of Georgia investigates RU486 (mifepristone) as a contraceptive through its effect on uterine fluid retention and embryo implantation. Mouse studies support the hypothesis, and the lab has developed a method to measure uterine fluid absorption and gene targets.
• Potential Use of 17BIPHE2, a Protease Resistant Cathelicidin Antimicrobical Peptide, as an MPT Agent in the Female Reproductive Tract: Dr. Nongnuj Tanphaichitr (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute) presented findings on LL-37 and 17BIPHE2—antimicrobial peptides with spermicidal properties—highlighting their potential as multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) in the female reproductive tract.

Male Contraception Highlights

• Development of RBM46 Small Molecular Degraders for Reversible Male Contraception: Dr. Brian Hermann’s team at UT San Antonio is developing small molecule degraders targeting RBM46, a validated but complex target in spermatogenesis. Their work aims to clarify RBM46’s role and therapeutic potential.
• Unveiling the Roles of Semenogelin-1 on Sperm Function: From Experimental Studies to Applications in Male Contraception: Dr. Erick Silva of São Paulo State University highlighted research on SEMG1’s role in sperm survival and motility regulation. SEMG1 modulates CatSper currents and interacts with EPPIN, offering a novel target for male contraception.
• Targeting MEIG1-SC35 Interaction for the Development of Male-based Contraceptives: Dhikhirullahi Opeyemi(Wayne State University) focuses on the MEIG1 gene and its binding partner SC35, both essential for spermatogenesis. The team is working to identify molecules that can disrupt this interaction as a male contraceptive strategy.

Trainee Highlight

On Thursday afternoon SSR featured presentations from their Trainee Awards Platform Competition, including one from Dr. Jiyang Zhang of Rutgers University. She introduced a tiered high-throughput ex vivo ovulation screening platform using a 3D hydrogel-based follicle culture system to identify novel ovulatory signaling pathways and non-hormonal contraceptive targets. Screening over 1,300 compounds, her team has discovered 20 that consistently blocked ovulation without disrupting hormone secretion or follicle development.

Contraception-Related Posters

The conference also featured a number of contraception-focused posters, including:

• Vesicle-Based Male Contraceptive Advances for Reversible Efficiency (VESI-CARE), Sandeep Urandur, PhD, University of Pitsburgh
• Uterine Fluid Retention as a Mechanism for RU486 as a Contraceptive, Skyler Owens, University of Georgia
• Reversibility of Plan A™’s Vasalgel®, an On-Demand Reversible Hydrogel Occlusive Device, Kyla Tietz, MSc, NEXT Life Sciences, Plan A

The CTI Exchange’s managing editor and key resources editor were also in attendance to discuss the latest innovations in contraceptive R&D and emerging trends in the field with a poster titled “CTI Tracker: A Resource for Monitoring Innovations in Contraceptive Development.”