Depot testosterone with etonogestrel implants result in induction of azoospermia in all men for long-term contraception.
BACKGROUND
Combined testosterone and progestogen preparations are a promising approach to male hormonal contraception. We investigated the effect of s.c. etonogestrel with depot testosterone on spermatogenesis in normal men over a period of 48 weeks.


METHODS
Fifteen healthy men received three s.c. 68 mg etonogestrel implants. Testosterone pellets (400 mg) were administered at 12 weekly intervals.


RESULTS
Nine men completed 48 weeks of treatment. Four subjects chose to discontinue after 6 months, one man withdrew from the study early for personal reasons and one was withdrawn due to illness. Sperm concentrations of <1 x 10(6)/ml were achieved in all men by 16 weeks of treatment. All men became azoospermic, although the time to achieve this varied from 8 to 28 weeks. Azoospermia was maintained in eight of the nine men treated for 48 weeks, one subject showing partial recovery from 40 weeks. Testosterone levels remained in the physiological range throughout. Treatment did not result in weight gain, change in body composition or decline in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of three etonogestrel implants with depot testosterone results in rapid and consistent suppression of spermatogenesis. This can be maintained for up to 1 year and may therefore be a suitable approach for a long-acting male hormonal contraceptive.
Brady
B M
BM
Contraceptive Development Network and MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Walton
M
M
Hollow
N
N
Kicman
A T
AT
Baird
D T
DT
Anderson
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004343:Drug Implants; D004845:Epitestosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D004343:Drug Implants; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008055:Lipids; C422364:inhibin B; C044815:etonogestrel; D013739:Testosterone; D004845:Epitestosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D017135:Desogestrel; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone