Levels, method choice and predictors of contraceptive use among males in southern Africa

This study assessed the relative risk of using male and partner contraceptive methods relative to non-use, identified the types of methods preferred by participants, and assessed the associated determinants of the use of male and partner methods. It used secondary data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Participants were sexually active men aged 15­54. The study found that 32% of respondents did not utilize any method, while 36% and 32% used partner and male methods, respectively. The male method was more prevalent among men who had two or more sexual partners and among urban dwellers, while the partner method was predominant among those with less than two children and those who were indifferent about whether contraception is a woman's business. The study recommends that family planning programs should pay attention to male contraceptive needs and concerns. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[6]:27-35).

"Uma pílula difícil de engolir?" Representações sociais do anticoncepcional masculino no Facebook / "A hard pill to swallow?" Social representations of the male contraceptive pill on Facebook

Resumo A pílula anticoncepcional feminina é um dos principais métodos contraceptivos utilizados na atualidade; já a pílula anticoncepcional masculina, apesar de ter sido pensada há mais de 50 anos, ainda não é comercializada. O objetivo do presente trabalho é compreender aspectos psicossociais da dinâmica da sociedade em relação a novas formas contraceptivas e examinar se novas formas contraceptivas direcionadas ao corpo do homem seriam acatadas. Em março de 2018, a revista Superinteressante postou em sua página do Facebook uma reportagem sobre uma pílula anticoncepcional masculina que foi bem-sucedida em sua primeira fase de teste. A postagem gerou grande comoção e surgiram muitos comentários expressando diferentes opiniões sobre o assunto. Foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temático-categorial 294 comentários feitos nessa postagem. Os resultados revelam que esse método contraceptivo masculino aparece inscrito em um sistema representacional que salienta discussões sobre: efeitos colaterais da medicalização, a liberdade feminina, a ampliação da responsabilidade masculina na contracepção/cuidado com os filhos, a desconfiança em relação à postura feminina e outros aspectos que remetem a possíveis avanços científicos e sociais. Os dados analisados não podem ser generalizados, mas apontam para a aceitação de novas formas contraceptivas direcionadas ao corpo masculino.

ABSTRACT The female contraceptive pill is one of the main contraceptive methods used today, while the male contraceptive pill, despite being thought of more than 50 years ago, is not yet commercialized. This work aims to understand psychosocial aspects of the dynamics of society in relation to new forms of contraception and to examine whether new forms of contraception directed to the male body would be accepted. In March 2018, the magazine Superinteressante posted on Facebook a report about a male contraceptive pill that was successful in its first test phase ; the post generated great commotion and many comments emerged expressing different opinions on the subject. 294 comments made on this post were submitted to thematic-categorical content analysis. The results indicate that this male contraceptive method appears inscribed in a representational system that highlights discussions about: side effects of medicalization, female freedom, the expansion of male responsibility in contraception/child care, distrust of the female posture and other aspects that refer to possible scientific and social advances. The analyzed data cannot be generalized, but point to the acceptance of new forms of contraception aimed at the male body.

Quem tomará a "pílula masculina"? Reflexões sobre a construção do usuário de contraceptivos para homens / ¿Quién tomará la "píldora masculina"? Reflexiones sobre la construcción del usuario de anticonceptivos para hombres / Who will take the "male pill"? Reflections on the construction of the contraceptive user for men

Resumo O objetivo do artigo é analisar como é concebido o usuário de um anticoncepcional masculino por um ator relevante no campo, a organização não governamental estadunidense Male Contraception Initiative. A partir de uma abordagem socioantropológica, utilizamos a técnica de análise de documentos para compreender como ali se configuram a aceitação e o perfil dos possíveis consumidores de tal tecnologia. Observamos que a construção do homem usuário se realiza com base em uma concepção igualitária dos direitos reprodutivos, enfatizando o direito de os homens - assim como as mulheres - terem autonomia e controle sobre a própria fertilidade. Há uma expansão do perfil do usuário em relação a tentativas anteriores de disponibilização de uma "pílula masculina", mas, ao enfocar a noção dos homens como sujeitos de direitos reprodutivos, tal construção pode gerar conflitos com questões centrais dos movimentos feministas.

Resumen El objetivo del artículo es analizar cómo el usuario de un anticonceptivo masculino es concebido por un actor relevante en el campo, la ONG estadounidense Male Contraception Initiative. A partir de un enfoque socioantropológico, utilizamos la técnica de análisis de documentos para comprender cómo la ONG configura la aceptación y los consumidores de tal tecnología. Observamos que la construcción del hombre usuario se realiza con base en una concepción igualitaria de los derechos reproductivos, enfatizando el derecho de los hombres - así como las mujeres - tener autonomía y control sobre la propia fertilidad. Hay una expansión del perfil del usuario en relación a intentos anteriores de disponibilización de una "píldora masculina", pero, al enfocar la noción de los hombres como sujetos de derechos reproductivos, tal construcción puede generar conflictos con cuestiones centrales de los movimientos feministas.

Abstract This article analyzes how the American NGO Male Contraception Initiative - a relevant actor in the field - conceives the male contraceptive user. The ways this NGO is shaping both acceptance and consumers of that technology are examined from a social anthropological perspective and through document analysis. We observe that the construction of the male user is based on a concept of equality of reproductive rights, emphasizing the right of men as well as women to have autonomy and control over their own fertility. While there is an expansion of the user's profile compared to previous attempts to make a "male pill" available, a closer look on the notion of men as subject of reproductive rights reveals that such a construction may cause conflicts with central issues of feminist movements.

Relación entre el conocimiento y la intención de uso del anticonceptivo oral masculino (DMAU) en estudiantes varones en edad fértil de una universidad del sur de Chile / Relationship between the knowledge and the intention of use of the male oral contraception (DMAU) in students male in the fertile age of a university of the south of Chile

A lo largo de la historia las mujeres han sido las responsables de la reproducción biológica, han cargado mayormente con la responsabilidad de la anticoncepción (1); surge la necesidad de incorporar a hombres en salud reproductiva con métodos modernos, efectivos y reversibles, como la Píldora Anticonceptiva Oral Masculina, que se encuentra en fase II de investigación, y así participar activamente en la planificación familiar. OBJETIVO: Establecer la relación entre el conocimiento e intención de uso de la Píldora Anticonceptiva Oral Masculina, en varones en edad fértil de una Universidad del Sur de Chile, durante segundo semestre del 2018. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Investigación Cuantitativa, correlacional, no experimental y transversal, en 301 estudiantes regulares, se autoadministra instrumento: "Encuesta Anticonceptivos Orales en Varones en Edad Fértil", validado por medio de comité de expertos, con Coeficiente de Alpha de Cronbach de 0,81. RESULTADOS: Respecto al nivel de conocimiento acerca de la Píldora, sólo un 16% tuvo un puntaje mayor o igual a 17 puntos considerándose como alto conocimiento. Respecto de intención de uso, un 58% de los estudiantes varones tiene una alta intención de uso, además de que el 42% estaría dispuesto a utilizar este método anticonceptivo de forma diaria. CONCLUSIÓN: No existe una relación entre el nivel de conocimiento y la intención de uso de la píldora, pues independiente del nivel de conocimiento siempre se mantuvo una alta intención de uso investigación y así participar activamente en la planificación familiar

Throughout history, women have been responsible for biological reproduction, they have been mostly responsible for contraception (1); There is a need to incorporate men into reproductive health with modern, effective and reversible methods, such as the Male Oral Contraceptive Pill, which is in phase II of research, and thus actively participate in family planning. OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the knowledge and intention to use the Male Oral Contraceptive Pill, in men of childbearing age of a University of Southern Chile, during the second half of 2018. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Quantitative, correlational, non-experimental research and Transversal, in 301 regular students, self-administered instrument: "Survey of Oral Contraceptives in Men of Fertile Age", validated through an expert committee, with Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient of 0.81. RESULTS: Regarding the level of knowledge about the Pill, only 16% had a score greater than or equal to 17 points, considered ashigh knowledge. Regarding intention to use, 58% of male students have a high intention to use, in addition to 42% would be willing to use this method of contraception on a daily basis. CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between the level of knowledge and the intention to use the pill, because independent of the level of knowledge, a high intention to use research was always maintained and thus actively participate in family planning.

Would male hormonal contraceptives affect cardiovascular risk? / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The aim of hormonal male contraception is to prevent unintended pregnancies by suppressing spermatogenesis. Hormonal male contraception is based on the principle that exogenous administration of androgens and other hormones such as progestins suppress circulating gonadotropin concentrations, decreasing testicular Leydig cell and Sertoli cell activity and spermatogenesis. In order to achieve more complete suppression of circulating gonadotropins and spermatogenesis, a progestin has been added testosterone to the most recent efficacy trials of hormonal male contraceptives. This review focusses on the potential effects of male hormonal contraceptives on cardiovascular risk factors, lipids and body composition, mainly in the target group of younger to middle-aged men. Present data suggest that hormonal male contraception can be reasonably regarded as safe in terms of cardiovascular risk. However, as all trials have been relatively short (< 3 years), a final statement regarding the cardiovascular safety of hormonal male contraception, especially in long-term use, cannot be made. Older men with at high risk of cardiovascular event might not be good candidates for hormonal male contraception. The potential adverse effects of hormonal contraceptives on cardiovascular risk appear to depend greatly on the choice of the progestin in regimens for hormonal male contraceptives. In the development of prospective hormonal male contraception, data on longer-term cardiovascular safety will be essential.

Valproic Acid Enhances the Anti-tumor Effect of (-)-gossypol to Burkitt Lymphoma Namalwa Cells / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive B-cell neoplasm. New therapeutic methods are needed to overcome the adverse effect of intensive chemotherapy regimens. Valproic acid and (-)-gossypol are two kinds of chemical compounds used as new anti-tumor drugs in recent years. To investigate the anti-tumor effect of valproic acid and (-)-gossypol, Burkitt lymphoma Namalwa cells were cultured and treated with valproic acid and (-)-gossypol at different concentrations. The proliferation of Namalwa cells was dramatically suppressed after the combination treatment with 2 mmol/L valproic acid and 5 μmol/L (-)-gossypol. The combined treatment also enhanced intrinsic apoptosis by down-regulating anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Moreover, the autophagy flux significantly increased in Namalwa cells after combined treatment. However, the enhanced autophagy showed little effect on cell survival with present regimen. The results confirmed that combination of valproic acid and (-)-gossypol had synergistic anti-tumor effect to Burkitt lymphoma Namalwa cells. The related mechanisms might include the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and avianized pro-survival role of autophagy.

Mechanisms involved in reproductive damage caused by gossypol in rats and protective effects of vitamin E

BACKGROUND: Gossypol is a chemical present in the seeds of cotton plants (Gossypium sp.) that reduces fertility in farm animals. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and may help to protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of reproductive toxicity of gossypol in rats and the protective effects of vitamin E. Forty Wistar rats were used, divided into four experimental groups (n = 10): DMSO/ saline + corn oil; DMSO/saline + vitamin E; gossypol + corn oil; and gossypol + vitamin E. RESULTS: Fertility was significantly reduced in male rats treated with gossypol in that a significant decrease in epididy-mal sperm count was observed (P < 0.05) and the number of offspring was significantly reduced in females mated with them (P < 0.05). This dysfunction was prevented by vitamin E. Gossypol caused a significant increase in the activity of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.01) and glutathione reductase (P < 0.01), but vitamin E did not reduce the enzyme activities (P > 0.05). The levels of reduced glutathione and pyridine nucleotides in testis homogen-ate were significantly reduced by gossypol (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) and this reduction was accompanied by increased levels of oxidized glutathione (P < 0.05). Vitamin E showed a preventive effect on the changes in the levels of these substances. Gossypol significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde (P < 0.01), a lipid peroxida-tion indicator, whereas treatment with vitamin E inhibited the action of the gossypol. Vitamin E prevented a decrease in mitochondrial ATP induced by gossypol (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the reproductive dysfunction caused by gossypol may be related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial bioenergetic damage and that treatment with vitamin E can prevent the infertility caused by the toxin.

Progress in researches on male immunocontraception / 中华男科学杂志

The ideal goal of male immunocontraception is to develop a safe, effective, convenient, acceptable and reversible contraceptive vaccine. Current studies mainly focus on screening the most suitable target antigens from reproductive hormones and sperm functional proteins for the development of immuno contraceptive vaccines. The vaccine targeting reproductive hormones has not been widely used due to its different degrees of side effects and complicated operation. Recent studies show the practicability and applicability of the immuno contraceptive vaccine targeting sperm specific antigens, but its development is confronted with many challenges, such as how to select appropriate target antigens, how to enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine, how to choose appropriate drug-delivery ways, how to reduce its side effects, and how to decrease its cost.

Preliminary study on antifertility activity of Enicostemma axillare leaves and Urena lobata root used in Indian traditional folk medicine

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Enicostemma axillare (E. axillare) leaves and Urena lobata (U. lobata) root in adult male Wistar albino rats.@*METHODS@#Six groups of rats were treated with ethanolic (70%v/v) extracts of E. axillare (375 and 750 mg/kg body weight) and U. lobata root (300 and 600 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 55 days. Control groups received the distilled water and vehicle. All the treated rats had corresponding recovery groups. At the end of each treatment periods, animals were killed and organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular and epididymal biochemicals as well as testicular enzymes were assessed.@*RESULTS@#The E. axillare and U. lobata at tested doses did not decrease body weight, whereas the weight of testes, epididymides and seminal vesicles were significantly (P<0.01) reduced. Significantly (P<0.01) more reductions in the sperm motility, viability and counts, epididymal and testicular protein contents were noted in the rats treated with higher dose of both the plants. Both the plants at the higher dose caused a marked increase (P<0.01) in sperm morphological abnormalities, testicular cholesterol and ascorbic acid contents were remarkably increased (P<0.01), while, the activities of testicular glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and Δ(5)-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (Δ(5)-3β-HSD) were significantly reduced (P<0.01). However, reversal of these changes occurred after 55 days of treatment withdrawal.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study suggests that the E. axillare leaves and U. lobata root reversibly inhibited spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis indicating reversible antifertility activity which could partially support the traditional of these plants as male contraceptives.

Antifertility effect of chronically administered Tabernaemontana divaricata leaf extract on male rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antifertility effect of chronically administered Tabernaemontana divaricata (T. divaricata) leaf extract on male rats.@*METHODS@#The effect of 50% ethanol extract of T. divaricata leaves on reproduction was studied on male rats. The study was divided into four groups of five animals each. The first groups (I) received vehicle alone to serve as control. The second, third and fourth groups (II, II and IV) of animals were administered the leaf extract daily at 50 mg/kg body weight, p.o.,100 mg/kg body weight, p.o., and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o., respectively, for a period of 60 days.@*RESULTS@#Significant decreases in the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were observed. A dose related reduction in the testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count and motility, number of fertile male, ratio between delivered and inseminated females and numbers of pups were observed. The testis showed a clear correlation between the dose and severity of lesions of seminiferous epithelium. In general, the seminiferous tubules appear reduced in size with a frequently filled eosinophilic material. Spermatogenesis arrested at the secondary spermatocyte stage. Pachytene spermatocytes were undergoing degeneration. Disorganigation and sloughing of immature germ cell were visible. Leydinf cells were atrophied. No morphological changes were observed in Sertoli cells. Significant reduction in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were observed. No distinct change in serum FSH concentration was recorded. The final body weights of all groups were elevated markedly. No alterations were recorded in any hematologiocal parameters.@*CONCLUSION@#It is concluded that the 50% ethanol extract of T. divaricata leaf produced dose related effect on male reproduction without altering general body metabolism.

[Studying cytotoxit effects of tolualdoxime on immature Balb/C mice spermatogenesis]

Familial Mediterranean fever [FMF] is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and inflammation in the peritoneum, synovium, or pleura, accompanied by pain. In this study, we examined all 10 exons to determine the most common mutations in MEFV gene as a single gene associated with FMF. In this basic study, 51 clinically diagnosed Iranian FMF patients referred to Taleghani hospital were studied. Peripheral blood was gained from them and genomic DNA was extracted according to phenol chloroform standard protocol. They were screened for the MEFV mutation using bidirectional sequencing and finally, the sequences were analyzed by related soft wares. Of 51 patients suspected to FMF, 24 [47.05%] were positive for mutation and 27 [52.95%] had no mutations. 14 patients had M694V mutation in exon10 including 4 homozygote mutation, 8 heterozygote and 4 compound heterozygote. Moreover, we could find 6 patients with M680I mutation and 2 individual [8.3%] with V721I mutation in exon 10. Only one person carried E148Q heterozygote mutation in exon 2. Our finding were compatible with others investigation that M694V mutation is the most common mutation in different populations

Morfologia testicular e qualidade espermática de touros da raça Nelore, submetidos à dieta contendo gossipol / Testes morphology and sperm quality of Nelore bulls fed a gossypol-enriched diet

Com o objetivo estudar o efeito de dieta contendo gossipol sobre a qualidade seminal e morfologia dos testículos de touros da raça Nelore, utilizaram-se 16 animais, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: T1, oito touros submetidos a dieta contendo 20 por cento de caroço de algodão e T2, oito touros submetidos a dieta isenta de gossipol. Realizaram-se coletas de sêmen para avaliar a qualidade seminal. Os testículos dos animais foram retirados ao final dos 73 dias de experimento, fragmentos dos mesmos foram preparados para serem analisados em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e outros fixados em lâminas e corados por hematoxilina-eosina. O consumo médio de caroço de algodão/animal/dia de 1,71kg interferiu na morfologia dos testículos; os túbulos seminíferos apresentaram menor espessura de parede, redução no número de camadas de células espermatogênicas e no volume dos núcleos da célula de Sertoli em relação aos do T2. Por microscopia eletrônica observouse que os touros do T1 apresentavam células de Sertoli com membrana citoplasmática enrugada, acúmulo de lipídeos no citoplasma, mitocôndrias deformadas e algumas espermátides estavam em apoptose. Touros do T1 apresentaram redução na motilidade espermática, aumento no percentual de defeitos espermáticos maiores e totais em relação aos animais do T2. O gossipol alterou a morfologia testicular e reduziu a qualidade espermática dos touros...

We studied the effect of a gossypol-enriched diet on the quality of semen and the morphology of testes of Nelore bulls. Sixteen animals were scheduled for 2 treatments: T1, 8 bulls fed a diet containing 20 percent cottonseed and T2, 8 bulls fed a gossypol-free diet. Semen samples were collected in order to evaluate the semen quality. At the end of the 73-day period of treatment, the testes were removed and tissue fragments were prepared for transmission electron microscopy or fixed on slides and stained with haematoxylin-eosin for light microscopy. The mean daily intake of cottonseed by T1 bulls was 1.71 kg/animal, which interfered on testes morphology; the seminiferous tubules had less thick walls, fewer layers of the spermatogenic lineage cells and reduced volumes of Sertoli cell nuclei with regard to T2 bulls. Electron microscopy analyses revealed that the Sertoli cells from T1 animals had a rough cytoplasmic membrane, lipid accumulation in the cytoplasm, deformed mitochondriae; in addition, some apoptotic spermatids were seen. T1 bulls showed reduction of sperm motility and an increase of the percentage of major and total sperm defects in relation to the animals of T2 group. It is concluded that a gossypol-enriched diet promoted alterations in the testicles morphology and it reduced the sperm quality of bulls...

Morfologia testicular e qualidade espermática de touros da raça Nelore, submetidos à dieta contendo gossipol / Testes morphology and sperm quality of Nelore bulls fed a gossypol-enriched diet

Com o objetivo estudar o efeito de dieta contendo gossipol sobre a qualidade seminal e morfologia dos testículos de touros da raça Nelore, utilizaram-se 16 animais, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: T1, oito touros submetidos a dieta contendo 20 por cento de caroço de algodão e T2, oito touros submetidos a dieta isenta de gossipol. Realizaram-se coletas de sêmen para avaliar a qualidade seminal. Os testículos dos animais foram retirados ao final dos 73 dias de experimento, fragmentos dos mesmos foram preparados para serem analisados em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e outros fixados em lâminas e corados por hematoxilina-eosina. O consumo médio de caroço de algodão/animal/dia de 1,71kg interferiu na morfologia dos testículos; os túbulos seminíferos apresentaram menor espessura de parede, redução no número de camadas de células espermatogênicas e no volume dos núcleos da célula de Sertoli em relação aos do T2. Por microscopia eletrônica observouse que os touros do T1 apresentavam células de Sertoli com membrana citoplasmática enrugada, acúmulo de lipídeos no citoplasma, mitocôndrias deformadas e algumas espermátides estavam em apoptose. Touros do T1 apresentaram redução na motilidade espermática, aumento no percentual de defeitos espermáticos maiores e totais em relação aos animais do T2. O gossipol alterou a morfologia testicular e reduziu a qualidade espermática dos touros [...]

We studied the effect of a gossypol-enriched diet on the quality of semen and the morphology of testes of Nelore bulls. Sixteen animals were scheduled for 2 treatments: T1, 8 bulls fed a diet containing 20 percent cottonseed and T2, 8 bulls fed a gossypol-free diet. Semen samples were collected in order to evaluate the semen quality. At the end of the 73-day period of treatment, the testes were removed and tissue fragments were prepared for transmission electron microscopy or fixed on slides and stained with haematoxylin-eosin for light microscopy. The mean daily intake of cottonseed by T1 bulls was 1.71 kg/animal, which interfered on testes morphology; the seminiferous tubules had less thick walls, fewer layers of the spermatogenic lineage cells and reduced volumes of Sertoli cell nuclei with regard to T2 bulls. Electron microscopy analyses revealed that the Sertoli cells from T1 animals had a rough cytoplasmic membrane, lipid accumulation in the cytoplasm, deformed mitochondriae; in addition, some apoptotic spermatids were seen. T1 bulls showed reduction of sperm motility and an increase of the percentage of major and total sperm defects in relation to the animals of T2 group. It is concluded that a gossypol-enriched diet promoted alterations in the testicles morphology and it reduced the sperm quality of bulls [...]

Male antifertility drugs and cell apoptosis / 中华男科学杂志

Male antifertility drugs can induce contraception by interfering with spermatogenesis progression. Their action mechanism is correlated with the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. This paper summarizes recent researches on the mechanism of male antifertility-drugs, including testosterone, gossypol, tamoxifen and triptolide, reviews their regulating effect on cell apoptosis and the expression of the key genes and proteins involved, and explores the significance of further researches on male antifertility drugs and cell apoptosis.

Predictors for partial suppression of spermatogenesis of hormonal male contraception / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To analyze factors influencing the efficacy of hormonal suppression of spermatogenesis for male contraception.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A nested case-control study was conducted, involving 43 subjects, who did not achieve azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia when given monthly injections of 500 mg testosterone undecanoate (TU), defined as partial suppressors compared with 855 subjects who had suppressed spermatogenesis (complete suppressors). Sperm density, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations at the baseline and the suppression phase were compared between partial and complete suppressors. Polymorphisms of androgen receptor (AR) and three single nucleotide variants and their haplotypes of FSH receptor (FSHR) genes determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing technique were compared between 29 partial and 34 complete suppressors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline serum LH level was higher and serum LH as well as FSH level during the suppression phase was less suppressed in partial suppressors. Additionally, in a logistic regression analysis larger testis volume, higher serum FSH concentrations alone, or interaction of serum LH, FSH, testosterone and sperm concentrations were associated with degree of suppression. The distribution of polymorphisms of AR or FSH receptor genes did not differ between partial and complete suppressors. In cases with incomplete FSH suppression (FSH 0.2 IU/L), the chances of reaching azoospermia were 1.5 times higher in the subjects with more than 22 CAG triplet repeats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Partial suppression of spermatogenesis induced by 500 mg TU monthly injections is weakly influenced by hormonal and clinical features but not polymorphism in AR and FSHR genes.</p>

Sperm motility inhibitory effect of the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in langur monkey, Presbytis entellus entellus / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To assess the contraceptive efficacy of the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in langur monkeys.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The test substance was given p.o. to five monkeys at 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 360 days. Control animals (n=3) received olive oil as vehicle. Sperm parameters as per World Health Organization standards, sperm functional tests, morphology of testis and epididymis, haematology, clinical biochemistry, serum testosterone and libido were evaluated. Following completion of 360 days treatment the animals were withdrawn from the treatment and the recovery pattern was assessed by semen analysis and sperm functional tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total inhibition of sperm motility was observed following 60 days of treatment that continued until 360 days study period. Sperm count, percent viability and percent normal spermatozoa showed a drastic decline following 30 days of treatment. Sperm morphology showed predominant mid piece abnormalities. Sperm functional tests scored in sterile range. Histology and ultrastructure of testis revealed vacuolization in the Sertoli cells and germ cells. Loss of cytoplasmic organelles was evident in spermatocytes and round spermatids. Histology and ultrastructure of epididymis of treated animals were comparable to those of control animals. Hematological and serum clinical parameters and testosterone levels fluctuated within the control range throughout the study period. Recovery was evident following 60-120 days of treatment withdrawal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that the benzene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract of the seeds of Carica papaya shows contraceptive efficacy without adverse toxicity, mediated through inhibition of sperm motility.</p>

Gossypol inhibits proliferation of endometrioma cells in culture / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To evaluate the anti-proliferative activity and mitochondrial toxicity of gossypol in endometrioma cells maintained in short-term cultures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(A) Three endometrioma cell lines from patients were treated with 25 or 50 nmol/L gossypol for up to 12 days. The effect of gossypol on the cell growth was recorded. (B) A phosphorescence oxygen analyzer was used to determine the effects of gossypol on mitochondrial oxygen consumption of six endometrioma cell lines from patients. (C) Cellular gossypol accumulations in three endometrioma cell lines from patients were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Proliferation of the endometrioma cells was inhibited by 25 and 50 nmol/L gossypol. Respiration of the endometrioma cells was inhibited by 10 micromol/L gossypol. Cellular gossypol was detected in the endometrioma cell lines that were treated for 24 h with 10 and 0.3 micromol/L gossypol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gossypol invokes a potent toxicity on cultured endometrioma cells.</p>

More than eight years' hands-on experience with the novel long-acting parenteral testosterone undecanoate / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Testosterone (T) as a compound for treatment of T deficiency has been available for almost 70 years, but the pharmaceutical formulations have been less than ideal. Traditionally, injectable T esters have been used for treatment, but they generate supranormal T levels shortly after the 2-3 weekly injection interval. T levels then decline very rapidly, becoming subnormal during the days preceding the next injection. The rapid fluctuations in plasma T are subjectively experienced as disagreeable. T undecanoate (TU) is a new injectable T preparation with a considerably better pharmacokinetic profile. After two initial injections separated by a 6-week interval, the following intervals between two injections are generally 12 weeks, eventually amounting to a total of four injections per year. Plasma T levels with this preparation are nearly always in the range of normal men, as are its metabolic products estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It reverses the effects of hypogonadism on bone and muscle and metabolic parameters, and on sex functions. It is suitable for male contraception. Its safety profile is excellent because of the continuous normalcy of plasma T levels. No polycythemia has been observed and no adverse effects on lipid profiles. Prostate safety parameters are well within reference limits. TU is a valuable treatment option of androgen deficiency.