INABILITY OF CONTINUOUS LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF D-NAL(2)6-LHRH TO ABOLISH FERTILITY IN MALE-RATS

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  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (4) , 283-291
Abstract
A highly potent agonist of LHRH, [6-D-(2-naphthyl)-alanine]-LHRH, was administered chronically for 12 wk to adult male rats by repetitive implanation of pellets, and its efects upon mating, fertility and reproductive organ wt have been evaluated. Although significant declines in testicular (P < 0.001) and epididymidal (P < 0.001) wt were achieved, no effects on seminal vesicles, prostate or pituitary wt were observed. After 12 wk of continuous treatment 3 of 6 agonist-treated rats were still successfully impregnating females. The decline in successful impregnation appeared to be related to the observed reduction in testicular spermatogenesis and in numbers of epididymal spermatozoa. The drug effects appeared reversible, as all 6 of the agonist-treated rats were fertile by the 5th wk after cessation of treatment. Plasma levels of testosterone were markedly elevated immediately affter implantation of each pellet and consistently, but not significantly, lowered during the inter-implantation periods. These observations, and the lack of effect on accessory organ wt, are consistent with the maintenance of libido in these treated rats. This is the 2nd demonstration of a selective inhibition of spermatogenesis in the absence of a marked decline in gonadal steroidogenesis with this agent. As in the 1st demonstration using twice weekly injections, the degree of inhibition of spermatogenesis was insufficient to abolish fertility in the treated male rats.

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