Recently, researchers at an Australian university began to apply a particular technique: that of the toxic male. The objective? Fight against mosquito species that carry diseases in humans by genetically modifying male sperm.
Different methods of fighting mosquitoes
In a context of global warming which favors the proliferation of mosquitoes, many researchers are trying to intensify the fight. In 2019, for example, American researchers created an appetite suppressant drug capable of generate a feeling of satiety in the mosquito and thus stop its thirst for blood. In 2023, a private company based in Japan claimed to have developed a revolutionary surfactant spray in order to undermine the natural water resistance properties mosquitoes.
However, the most popular methods are the sterile insect techniques (SIT) and the lethal gene-carrying insect techniques (RIDL). It is about mass release of genetically modified male mosquitoes in order to make them mate in the wild with females. Once fertilized, the latter cannot produce offspring or their offspring are only male.
Act without waiting for the next generations
As indicated in a publication dated January 7, 2025 in the journal Nature Communications, bioscientists from Macquarie University in Sydney (Australia) explored another avenue. In fact, here we are talking about a toxic male technique (TMT). The goal of this genetic biocontrol initiative is to envenom male sperm using genetic manipulation in order to poison females. It turns out that Australian researchers aim to act on the first generations of mosquitoes, which is impossible for the SIT and RIDL methods. In other words, the goal is to reduce mosquito populations without waiting for subsequent generations.
-The authors of the study carried out initial tests of the toxic male technique on the vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster). According to the results, TMT made it possible to reduce by 37 to 64% the lifespan of mated females. Next, the authors applied computer models relating to the species mosquito Aedes aegypti the main vector of Dengue and the Zika virus. TMT would make it possible to reduce blood supply rate by 40-60%a key factor in transmission.
Obviously, it is possible to wonder whether or not these toxic male mosquitoes could cause problems in ecosystems. The researchers assured that any ingestion by another animal (which includes other insects) could not cause significant damage. Indeed, here we are talking about strong toxicity through sexual contact between mosquitoes, but very weak orally for other animals.
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