Use of norethisterone and estradiol in mini doses as a contraceptive in the male. Efficacy studies in the adult male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata).
Administration of norethisterone (NET) or NET + estradiol benzoate using an Alzet minipump or as once-a-month intramuscular injection of their depot forms, NET-enanthate (NET-EN) and estradiol valerate (E-val), resulted in azoospermia in all monkeys (n = 13) within 60 to 150 days of treatment. Although addition of depot form of testosterone (T, 20 mg/month) to the regimen restored the behavioral response typical of a normal male, it did not reverse the azoospermic state. Serum T (heightened nocturnal) levels were significantly reduced (> 85%, p < 0.001) in all the treated groups. Evidence for blockade in spermatogenesis following treatment was obtained by DNA flow cytometry. Following withdrawal of treatment, the T level was restored to normalcy within 15 days but 120 days more were required for the animals to exhibit normal sperm counts. In conclusion, the efficacy of once-a-month injection of relatively low doses of NET-EN + E-Val to bring about azoospermia in monkeys, in a relatively short time, has been demonstrated. As the results are uniform and reproducible, it appears desirable that this steroid regimen be tested in man for its contraceptive efficacy.
Shetty
G
G
Center for Reproductive Biology and Molecular Endocrinology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
Krishnamurthy
H
H
Krishnamurthy
H N
HN
Ramachandra
S G
SG
Moudgal
N R
NR
D000818:Animals; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008255:Macaca radiata; D008297:Male; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009845:Oligospermia; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008055:Lipids; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009640:Norethindrone