Effect of estrogen deprivation on the reproductive physiology of male and female primates

Shetty, G and Krishnamurthy, H and Krishnamurthy, HN and Bhatnagar, AS and Moudgal, RN (1997) Effect of estrogen deprivation on the reproductive physiology of male and female primates. In: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 61 (3-6). pp. 157-166.

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Abstract

The availability of CGS 16949A, CGS 20267 and CGP 47645, a series of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) having high specific activity and specificity, made possible this study wherein the need for estrogen (E) for regulating (a) follicular maturation/ovulation, luteal function and pregnancy establishment, and (b) testicular function of the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) has been examined. Generally these compounds, used in the range of 500 μg to 2.5 mg/day did not inhibit follicular maturation although they did reduce E levels. Although low doses had no effect on ovulation it appears that relatively high doses of CGS 20267 and CGP 47645 could be inhibiting it. Three oral doses of letrozole (CGS 20267, each dose of 2 mg) during the follicular phase resulted in the formation of multiple follicles in cycling females, and these could be ovulated by exogenous hCG (1000 IU) treatment. Although administration of AI during the early luteal phase had no effect on progesterone (P) production, it prevented pregnancy establishment. Whereas AI administration in the female had no significant effect on luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (except at high drug dosages), it significantly increased serum testosterone (T) levels in the male. Sustained high levels of T (30–50 ng/ml) could be maintained for 100 days by administering 2.5 mg of CGP 47465 orally once in 5 days. Blockade of E synthesis in the male led to the disruption of testicular germ cell transformation, which in turn resulted in a significant reduction in sperm production. These studies with aromatase inhibitors in the monkey suggest that these compounds have a potential for use as fertility regulating agents in both the male and female primate.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics
Date Deposited:	02 Jun 2009 05:40
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:25
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/18892

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