In vivo and in vitro studies with different parts of the epididymis and vas deferens were carried out to determine their inherent capacity to synthesize steroids and to correlate with the endogenous levels with or without the administration of hCG. Incubation with 14C-labelled pregnenolone and testosterone demonstrated that caput epididymidis was more active than other parts in synthesizing testosterone from 14C-pregnenolone and in converting labelled testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The cauda epididymidis and vas deferens accumulated more radioactivity in progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) than the caput epididymidis. The levels of DHT, testosterone and 4-androstene-3, 17-dione in the caput epididymidis were reduced after ligation of ipselateral efferent ductules indicating the testicular origin of these steroids. The cauda epididymidis and vas deferens had higher levels of progesterone as compared to the other regions of the epididymis, which were decreased after the ligation. Intravenous injection of hCG increased the levels of oestradiol-17 beta in all tissues and markedly in the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens. The high levels of progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta present in these organs may be of importance in maintaining fertilizing ability of spermatozoa stored in the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens and their transport.

No abstract

The intrinsic capacity of the immune system to elicit immune response selectively against late developing sperm proteins has been mobilized to intercept spermatogenesis. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin given in appropriate doses intratesticularly is effective in bringing about this effect. In dogs and rhesus monkeys, the sperm count in the semen declined precipitously, and almost complete azospermia was attained in 4-6 weeks after immunization. The few sperm cells that were present were immotile. Examination of serial sections of testes in immunized rats showed about 98% of the tubules to be devoid of sperm. The tubules were partially or fully atrophied. The basement membrane was, however, intact and the peritubular cell layer was normal. Sertoli cell nuclei were apparently normal but the cytoplasm was vacuolated and, in most cells, partially disintegrated. The lumen of the tubules was exhausted of formed elements and at times filled with eosinophilic debris. Leydig cells were present and hyperplasia of interstitial cells was seen, with massive infiltration of leukocytes. Blood testosterone levels were in the normal range and Leydig cells were responsive to gonadotropins. Libido was intact. The method was applicable to a variety of mammalian species. The implications of the results are discussed.Numerous attempts are being made to develop new methods for control of male fertility. Progestogens have been used to suppress the production and, possibly, the maturation of sperm cells (1-4). Dosages required to achieve azospermia, however, appear to vary widely from individual to individual; pregnancies have been recorded in couples in whom the male partner was seemingly on high dose, which, however, produced in him only oligospermia and not azospermia (4). Intake of these steroids is accompanied by undesirable side effects, such as loss of libido (4, 5), presumably by virtue of their antiandrogenic action (6), thus demanding the supplementation of the regime with androgens (7).As an alternative to steroidal contraception, the feasibility of immunization against a number of sperm antigens is being explored. The most promising of the sperm-specific antigens are LDH-x (8) and acrosin (9). A major limitation in their practical use is the difficulty in producing potent immune response in iso-or heterospecies; in spite of recourse to strong adjuvants such as Freund's complete adjuvant, a reduction, but not complete block, of fertility is obtained in test animals (10).This communication describes a simple and effective procedure for achieving aspermatogenesis in mammals. The method is based on the rationale that the body's immune system is tolerant to only those testicular constituents that are made and functional during fetal life. New proteins emerging with the onset of spermatogenesis in postnatal years are "foreign" to the immune system and intrinsically elicit immune response if the opportunity is given to do so. The validity of this hypothesis is supported by the frequent formation of antisperm antibodies in subject...

Changes in the morphology and steroid content of ovaries were studied after 48 h of intravenous injection of 100 µg of cyproterone acetate or flutamide to diestrus or estrous rats. Treatment with cyproterone acetate at diestrus caused a decrease in the number of small follicles ( < 200 µm), freshly formed corpora lutea and the levels of estradiol-17β in the ovary, suggesting inhibition of ovulation. Following flutamide administration at diestrus, the number of follicles at all stages of development were reduced with a concomitant decrease in the ovarian levels of the hormones. Thus, flutamide suppressed the growth and maturation of follicles. On administration of these drugs at estrous, the steroid content of ovaries was more pari passu with the increase in the number of mature and medium follicles. The differential effects of the two drugs are discussed in the light of these observations.