Use of norethisterone and estradiol in mini doses as a contraceptive in the male : Efficacy studies in the adult male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Shetty, G and Krishnamurthy, H and Krishnamurthy, HN and Ramachandra, SG and Moudgal, NR (1997) Use of norethisterone and estradiol in mini doses as a contraceptive in the male : Efficacy studies in the adult male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata). In: Contraception, 56 (4). pp. 257-265.

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Abstract

Administration of norethisterone (NET) or NET + estradiol benzoate using an Alzet minipump or as once-a-month intramuscular injection of their depot forms, NET-enanthate (NET-EN) and estradiol valerate (E-val), resulted in azoospermia in all monkeys (n = 13) within 60 to 150 days of treatment. Although addition of depot form of testosterone (T, 20 mg/month) to the regimen restored the behavioral response typical of a normal male, it did not reverse the azoospermic state. Serum T (heightened nocturnal) levels were significantly reduced (> 85%, p < 0.001) in all the treated groups. Evidence for blockade in spermatogenesis following treatment was obtained by DNA flow cytometry. Following withdrawal of treatment, the T level was restored to normalcy within 15 days but 120 days more were required for the animals to exhibit normal sperm counts. In conclusion, the efficacy of once-a-month injection of relatively low doses of NET-EN + E-Val to bring about azoospermia in monkeys, in a relatively short time, has been demonstrated. As the results are uniform and reproducible, it appears desirable that this steroid regimen be tested in man for its contraceptive efficacy.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Contraception
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier Science.
Keywords:	Author Keywords:azoospermia;progestins;spermatogenesis;male infertility;monkey.
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2010 07:12
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:51
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/24705

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