Pharmacological Inhibition of Spermatogenesis or Fertility Male Contraception

Pharmacological Inhibition of Spermatogenesis or Fertility (Male Contraception) 

Attempts to devise a male contraceptive (antifertility) have involved the testing of a number of chemicals for their ability to interfere with spermatogenesis or spermatozoa viability. In order to be effective, a contraceptive would 

Progestins A synthetic progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera), has been used for male contraceptive trials alone or in combination with nandrolone (a synthetic androgen). When given once monthly for 2-3 months, the combined treatment caused azoospermia in about one-half of the subjects. 

Synthetic GnRH Agonists Synthetic derivatives of GnRH with more biological activity than the native hormone have been used for the suppression of spermatogenesis after 2 or more weeks of treatment that downregu-lated GnRH receptors in the anterior pituitary. However, in most trials there was no uniform induction of azoospermia, probably because the reduction of LH and testosterone secretion was incomplete. 

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