Male contraception: expanding reproductive choice.

The development of steroid-based oral contraceptives had revolutionized the availability of contraceptive choice for women. In order to expand the contraceptive options for couples by developing an acceptable, safe and effective male contraceptive, scientists have been experimenting with various steroidal/non-steroidal regimens to suppress testicular sperm production. The non-availability of a long-acting androgen was a limiting factor in the development of a male contraceptive regimen since all currently tested anti-spermatogenic agents also concurrently decrease circulating testosterone levels. A combination regimen of long-acting progestogen and androgen would have advantage over an androgen-alone modality since the dose of androgen required would be much smaller in the combination regimen, thereby decreasing the adverse effects of high steroid load. The progestogen in the combination regimen would act as the primary anti-spermatogenic agent. Currently, a number of combination regimens using progestogen or GnRH analogues combined with androgen are undergoing trials. The side effects of long-term use of androgens and progestogens have also undergone evaluation in primate models and the results of these studies need to be kept in view, while considering steroidal regimens for contraceptive use in men. Efforts are also being made to popularize non-scalpel vasectomy and to develop condoms of greater acceptability. The development of contraceptive vaccines for men, using sperm surface epitopes not expressed in female reproductive tract as source, still requires considerable research efforts.

Efectos del valerato de estradiol ciproterona sobre el síndrome climaterio y parámetros bioquímicos en mujeres chilenas / Effects of estradiol valerate and ciproterone acetate on climateric syndrome and biochemical parameters in Chilean women

La menopausia se asocia a un demostrado aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular y de osteoporosis, lo que justifica el uso de terapia hormonal de reemplazo. Como ésta se plantea por tiempo prolongado, debe ser efectiva en prevenir las complicaciones y en suprimir el síndrome climatérico. Se estudió la eficacia de la asociación de valerato de estradiol (VE) y acetato de ciproterona (CPA) en la reducción de los síntomas asociados a menopausia. Se analizaron, prospectivamente, 342 mujeres durante 6 meses, consignando la intensidad de sus síntomas y los cambios en peso, presión arterial y parámetros bioquímicos. Las oleadas de calor, así como otros síntomas y signos, disminuyeron en intensidad. No hubo diferencia significativa en la evolución del peso ni de la presión arterial, aunque sí en algunos parámetros del perfil lipídico y hepático. Se concluye que la asociación VE y CPA reduce la intensidad de los síntomas climatéricos en el grupo estudiado

Effects of cyproterone acetate on the testicular function of bat (Rhinopoma kinneari Wroughton).

1-Cyproterone acetate administration (0.2 mg/day/animal for 25 days) caused widespread testicular necrosis. The lumen of the epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa. The RNA, protein, sialic acid and phosphatase enzyme activity of the testes were reduced. Serum transaminase enzyme activity was slightly changed. Haemoglobin, hematocrit, blood sugar, and blood urea levels were in the normal range. Regressed Leydig cell tissue and decreased production of RNA and sialic acid in the testes could be due to the antiandrogenic action produced by cyproterone acetate.