Arrest of folliculogenesis and inhibition of ovulation in the monkey following weekly administration of progestins.
Studies were undertaken in the rhesus monkey to determine whether development of a dominant ovarian follicle could be repeatedly arrested by the administration of a progestin on day 7 of the menstrual cycle, and then every 7 days thereafter regardless of menstrual bleeding history. Progesterone (7.5 mg), norethisterone (1.5 mg), and 17 alpha-ethinyl-17 beta-methoxy-7 alpha-methyl-4-estren-3-one (1.0 or 1.5 mg) effectively inhibited ovulation when injected intramuscularly once a week for 8 weeks. Orally administered STS 557 (17 alpha-cyanomethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4,9-estradien-3-one, 1.0 mg) also inhibited ovulation. Two structurally related steroids (17 beta-methoxy-4-estren-3-one, 1.0 mg; and 17 beta-methoxy-7 alpha-methyl-4-estren-3-one, 1.5 mg) did not inhibit ovulation when given intramuscularly at the indicated doses. Although weekly administration of certain progestins effectively arrested follicular development and inhibited ovulation in the primate, the treatment was accompanied by disturbances in menstrual bleeding patterns.
D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D011372:Progestins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol