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  • Title: Possible physiological bases for contraceptive techniques in the male.
    Author: Setchell BP.
    Journal: Hum Reprod; 1994 Jun; 9(6):1081-7. PubMed ID: 7962380.
    Abstract:
    Aspects of the physiology of the testis and epididymis are discussed which might be relevant to future methods of contraception in the male. These include the blood-testis barriers, both at the tubular and vascular level, testicular and scrotal thermoregulation and maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis. Possible adverse consequences of interfering with spermatogenesis are also considered, such as reduced endocrine responsiveness of the testis, increased incidence of genetic abnormalities and abnormal development of embryos produced by sub-fertile males. The perfect male contraceptive would block either the production or maturation of spermatozoa without affecting hormone secretion by the testes, thereby not diminishing libido or secondary sex characteristics. Reduction of gonadotropin secretion to that point which decreases sperm production is an obvious route to suppress sperm production. The barrier between the blood stream and the seminiferous tubules, which does not appear until after puberty, plays a key role in regulating access of hormones, metabolites, and antibodies to the germinal cells and protecting the immunologically foreign haploid cells from a immune response. Contraceptive researchers have identified it as a target for male contraception. Basic research of the barrier has been limited to animals. Some research suggests that movement of substances across the endothelial lining of the testicular blood vessels may determine the response of the testis to a hormonal challenge. Thus, if researchers could identify those factors regulating this movement and could greatly modify them, they might discover a way to interfere with spermatogenesis. Another physiological basis for contraceptive techniques in the male is that short-term heating of testes to or slightly above body temperature disrupts spermatogenesis. Severe or prolonged heating of the testis completely suppresses spermatogenesis. Inhibition of sperm maturation in the epididymis is another possible route. Yet, we do not yet know the importance of blood, lymph, and rete testis fluid in transporting active substances to the epididymis, or how the epididymis brings about changes in spermatozoa. Possible risks of induced suppression of spermatogenesis are so far limited to thermal treatment and include increased concentrations of luteinizing hormone in the blood, genetic abnormalities, and abnormal development of embryos in females.
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