dc.description.abstract |
Several drugs, which induce epididymal contractions, have been tested as potential
male contraceptives. Vasopressin is one such agent, which has not been tested as a
potential male contraceptive acting via epididymis. The aim of this study was to
examine the effect of vasopressin on male reproductive competence using rats. Two
doses of vasopressin (0.2 LU. and 0.4 IU.! rat) was injected daily to the cauda
epididymides of rats for 7 consecutive days. These rats were individually paired
with a receptive female on days 1,3 and 7 of treatment and on day 7-post treatment.
The results show that both doses of vasopressin caused the production of
oligozoospermic ejaculates. In addition, the higher dose induced marked
teratozoospermia (decapitation of sperm heads). However, precoital sexual
behavior and fertility of treated rats remained uninhibited. At autopsy, sperm
granulomas were evident close to vaso-epididymal junction. The most likely cause
for the production of vasopressin-induced oligozoospermia was the presence of
sperm granulomas. In addition, ejaculatory dysfunction may playa role in the
production of oligozoospermia, The possible cause for teratozoospermia is sperm
toxicity. |
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