INFERTILITY INDUCED BY PROSTAGLANDINS IN ALBINO-RATS BY ADRENERGIC BLOCK IN THE VAS-DEFERENS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (1) , 1-7
Abstract
The effects of s.c. injections of prostaglandin [PG] F2a and PGE1 (100 .mu.g/day per animal for 30 days) were studied on the histophysiology and contractile pattern of the vas deferens: morphology, density, motility of vasal spermatozoa; and the fertility rate of rats. Both PG altered the histology, metabolism and adrenergic response of the vas deferens in comparison to the control. The sperm density and motility were significantly affected and the vas deferens spermatozoa revealed acrosomal, midpiece and tail damage. Comparison of the effects of the PG showed that PGF2a was more effective in altering contractile pattern and cholinesterase activity of the vas deferens; in metabolism, sperm morphology and density were affected more by PGE1. Both PG caused 50% reduction in fertility rate and almost the same level of reduction in sperm motility and protein levels. PGF2a and PGE1 have partial antifertility effects as they alter the sperm morphology and antagonize the adrenergic response of the vas deferens by blocking the .alpha.-adrenoreceptors.