title: Male contraception.
abstract: Clear evidence shows that many men and women would welcome new male methods of contraception, but none have become available. The hormonal approach is based on suppression of gonadotropins and thus of testicular function and spermatogenesis, and has been investigated for several decades. This approach can achieve sufficient suppression of spermatogenesis for effective contraception in most men, but not all; the basis for these men responding insufficiently is unclear. Alternatively, the non-hormonal approach is based on identifying specific processes in sperm development, maturation and function. A range of targets has been identified in animal models, and targeted effectively. This approach, however, remains in the pre-clinical domain at present. There are, therefore, grounds for considering that safe, effective and reversible methods of contraception for men can be developed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: Richard.anderson@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000218:Adamantane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004343:Drug Implants; D004963:Estrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013076:Sperm Count; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014659:Vasectomy
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D004343:Drug Implants; D004963:Estrenes; D005782:Gels; D011372:Progestins; C008476:7-alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone 17-(1-adamantoate); C044815:etonogestrel; D013739:Testosterone; D016912:Levonorgestrel; C004648:testosterone enanthate; D017135:Desogestrel; C010792:testosterone undecanoate; D000218:Adamantane
keywords: contraception; spermatogenesis; testis; testosterone