Inhibition of Male Fertility by STS 5575)

M. Oettel; H. Freund; G. Hesse; M. H. Raj; K. Dietz; K. H. Chemnitius; W. Stölzner

doi:10.1055/s-0029-1210219

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, Table of Contents

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1983; 81(2): 137-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210219

Original

Inhibition of Male Fertility by STS 557⁵)

M. Oettel¹ , H. Freund¹ , G. Hesse¹ , M. H. Raj² , K. Dietz³ , K. H. Chemnitius⁴ , W. Stölzner¹

¹Aacademy of Sciences of the GDR, Research Centre of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Central Institute of Microbiology and Experimental Therapy (Director: Prof. Dr. U. Taubeneck), Jena/GDR
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/U.S.A.
³Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Director: Prof. Dr. H. Bayer) Humboldt University (Charité) Berlin/GDR
⁴VEB Jenapharm, Division of Research, Jena/GDR

5) This work was supported in part by a grant from the World Health Organization.

Abstract

PDF Download

Summary

To ascertain the effects of STS 557 (17α-cyanomethyl-17β-hydroxy-estra-4, 9-dien-3-one) on the reproductive and endocrine functions, male rabbits were given he substance orally daily over 8 weeks. In doses of 10 and 20mg TS 557 per animal per day fertility inhibition was accompanied by a decrease of spermatogenesis and sexual activity. At the chosen dose of 5 mg per day, STS 557 caused a decrease of sperm motility, semen fructose content and sterility of the bucks. On the other hand, libido, semen volume, sperm number, sialic acid content in semen, serum LH and testosterone remained unaffected. Concomitant injection of testosterone did not reverse the suppressive effect of STS 557 on fertility.

Motility of human sperm was lowered markedly by STS 557 in vitro. The human sperm penetration and pronuclear formation were significantly reduced in the in vitro fertilization assay with zona-free hamster eggs. Findings are discussed in view of the development of male contraceptives.

PDF (126 kb)