ABSTRACT
Mutagenesis of several male contraceptives in sperm bead anomalies was investigated. Results show that glycosides of tripterygium wilfordii hook (GTW) and its monomer T13, microwave induce sperm head anomalies. However, gossypol and monomer T4 and GTW do not induce sperm head anomalies. Adult male mice and rats were given orally GTW, monomer T4, T13 and gossypol. These chemical agents were delivered in 1% methylcellulose. Result indicated that frequency of abnormal sperm heads in GTW, T13 groups were significantly increased, while frequency of abnormal sperm heads in T4 and gossypol-treated animals were similar to that of normal controls. When male mice were exposed to microwaves of 0.5 kW for 1-2 min, for five weeks abnormal shape of spermatozoa could be found.