Seminal inhibin--prospects for immunocontraception.

Passive immunization of adult rats, hamsters and marmosets with rabbit anti-seminal inhibin resulted in complete or partial block of fertility. The antiserum treatment presumably neutralized endogenous inhibin resulting in an unopposed rise in circulating FSH. This probably led to a refractoriness of the testes to FSH resulting in complete spermatogenic arrest. Nevertheless, there was no change in the mating behaviour of the animals. The antibodies also affected the epididymal spermatozoa by causing large scale agglutination.

Interaction between inhibin and melatonin on secretion of rat pituitary gonadotrophins.

In presence of melatonin, the suppression of FSH levels by inhibin is reduced (31%) as compared to inhibin given alone (51%) to adult male rats. Likewise, inhibin decreases the prolactin enhancement following melatonin administration. These experiments demonstrate interaction of inhibin and melatonin on the secretion of pituitary gonadotrophins.