title: Contraception by induction of luteinized unruptured follicles with short-acting low molecular weight FSH receptor agonists in female animal models.
abstract: During recent decades minor innovative drugs have been developed for the female contraceptive market and they all contain steroidal progestagens (and estrogens) that act centrally and have side effects that can be attributed to this central action. In this study, we present an innovative tissue-specific approach for female contraception by low molecular weight (LMW) FSH receptor (FSHR) agonists, which interact with the FSHR that is dominantly expressed in the granulosa cells. The oral administration of LMW FSHR agonists with a short circulation time, induced formation of luteinized unruptured follicles (LUFs) from the Graafian follicles, thereby preventing the release of the oocyte. The short-acting LMW FSHR compounds were fully agonistic to FSHR (EC(50)=4-5 nM). In an isolated mouse follicle culture, a short incubation period (2 h) resulted in inhibition of follicular rupture, where continuous incubation induced follicle growth. Pharmacokinetics after oral administration showed a surge-like exposure in rats and monkeys. Oral administration of short-acting LMW FSHR agonists inhibited ovulation at 10 mg/kg in rats and guinea pigs by generating LUFs without affecting cyclicity. Also, inhibition of follicular rupture was shown to be reversible within one cycle. Finally, LUFs were induced without affecting the hormonal cyclicity in cynomolgus monkeys, a mono-ovulatory species. In healthy women LUF formation occurs naturally, with a LUF acting as corpus luteum that produces enough progesterone to ensure normal menstrual cyclicity. Together with the presented data this indicates that the innovative approach with short-acting LMW FSHR agonists could lead to oral contraception for females at the ovarian level.
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Laboratories, Department of Women's Health, Oss, The Netherlands. lagemaatmail@versatel.nl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van de Lagemaat
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Koppen
authors.forename: M A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Krajnc-Franken
authors.forename: B J B
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Folmer
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: van Diepen
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mulders
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Timmers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D034445:Ovulation Inhibition; D051381:Rats; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000819:agonists*
chemical_list: D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D011962:Receptors, FSH