Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of j1-adrenergic
agonists as male contraceptives acting via epididymis. This was tested in
rats with salbutamol which was applied directly to the epididymis using silastic
rods containing 50% drug. Two doses were used (lx50% drug/epididymis
and 2x50% drug/epididymis). The higher dose had no significant effect on
fertility. Lower dose, on the other hand, reduced fertility temporarily (on
days 3 and 7 following the insertion of rods) without concomittant loss of
libido, potency, motility of sperm, ejaculated sperm count or post-implantation
losses. However, the antifertility effect was accompanied with a significant
loss in pre-implantation losses. It is concluded that salbutamol induced
antifertility action resulted from an inhibition on the fertiIising competence
of sperm due to changes in the secretory profile of the epididymis.
