The activity of anthramycin and structurally related analogs as chemosterilants of the housefly, Musca domestica L., correlates closely with the action of these compounds as inhibitors of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Since inhibition of RNA polymerase by anthramycin reflects binding of this antibiotic to the DNA primer required for enzyme activity, we propose that the interaction of anthramycin with DNA may also account for its action as a chemosterilant.

Hexamethylphosphoramide and hexamethylmelamine are effective as male house fly chemosterilants. Both compounds are structurally similar to the two highly active sterilants tepa and tretamine, but they differ from the aziridinyl compounds in their low toxicity for mammals and in their lack of alkylating properties. This discovery of nonalkylating male sterilants of low toxicity should substantially increase the scope and practicality of the sterilemale control method.

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