Trials for development of once-a-month injectable, hormonal male contraceptive using dienogest plus testosterone undecanoate: dose standardization, efficacy and reversibility studies in rats.
BACKGROUND
The study was conducted to test the potential of using dienogest (DNG) plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) in rats for development of a once-a-month injectable male hormonal contraceptive.


METHODS
Dose selection studies were initiated with administration of DNG in three different doses of 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg body weight (bw) per week plus TU 25 mg/kg bw once in every 6 weeks. Status of spermatogenesis and sperm count in epididymis was evaluated. The frequency of DNG intervention was later extended to every 2- and 4-week intervals. Mating studies, toxicity and reversibility of spermatogenesis following stoppage of treatment were carried out with DNG 40 mg/kg bw at 4-week intervals.


RESULTS
Complete arrest of spermatogenesis was observed after 60 days of treatment at all doses of DNG (20, 30 and 40 mg/kg bw per week)+TU. However, weights of testis and accessory sex organs (epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicle) declined significantly 60 days post treatment compared to vehicle-treated controls. Epididymis in the treated animals was completely devoid of sperm. When the frequency of DNG injection (20 mg/kg bw) was extended to once every 15 days, a few immotile and decapitated sperm were observed in the epididymis. With TU treatment unchanged, animals receiving DNG (40 mg/kg bw) once either every 2- or 4-week intervals demonstrated good and uniform arrest of spermatogenesis. DNG 40 mg/kg per 4 weeks+TU also demonstrated a significant rise in germ cell apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium. There was no significant increase in the serum high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels at the end of 120 days of treatment. Following withdrawal of treatment after 60 or 120 days, qualitative restoration of spermatogenesis was rapid in the former compared to the latter.


CONCLUSIONS
Dienogest plus TU has the potential for development as a monthly injectable showing reversible hormonal male contraception with good efficacy.
Misro
Man M
MM
Department of Reproductive Biomedicine, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, India. mm_misro@yahoo.com
Chaki
Shankar P
SP
Kaushik
Mahesh C
MC
Nandan
Deoki
D
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D013739:Testosterone; C023635:dienogest; D009277:Nandrolone; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; C010792:testosterone undecanoate