Abstract

1. Chronic administration of alpha-chlorohydrin (8 mg/kg body wt for 30 days) caused lesions in the testis of dog. The changes in the germ cells were degenerative. The seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclear diameter were reduced. 2. Epididymal cell height was greatly reduced and the stereocilia had disappeared completely. The lumen was devoid of spermatozoa. 3. Alpha-chlorohydrin administration inhibited the RNA and sialic acid contents in the testes and epididymides of dog. Total cholesterol and lipids/g of testes were increased significantly after alpha-chlorohydrin administration. 4. These effects were reversible. Repopulation of testis tubules occurred following a period of 100 days recovery in dog. Numerous spermatogonia and sperm develop and traverse the epididymides. The RNA, sialic acid, cholesterol and total lipids of testes and epididymides returned to subnormal levels. 5. The possibility of using alpha-chlorohydrin as male contraception is indicated.

PIP:

15 adult male dogs weighing 10-17 kg were divided into 3 groups, 2 of which received daily doses of alpha-chlorohydrin for a period of 30 days in order to investigate the changes in the testes in response to this drug. Group 1 dogs had their testes, epididymides and vas deferens removed surgically 24 hours after the final dose. Group 2 dogs were allowed 100 days of recovery. Right testes were sectioned. Left testes and epididymides were frozen and total RNA, protein, sialic acid and lipids determined. Testicular weight remained unchanged in treated dogs, whereas the weight of epididymides was significantly low in comparison with controls. 100 days after medication was stopped, weight returned to normal. Administration of alpha-chlorohydrin caused lesions in the testis. The changes in the germ cells were degenerative. The seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclear diameter were reduced. Epididymal cell height was greatly reduced and the stereocilia had disappeared completely. The lumen was devoid of spermatozoa. RNA and sialic acid contents were reduced in the testes and epididymides. Total cholesterol and lipids/g of testes were increased significantly. These effects were reversible. At 100 days post medication, numerous spermatogonia and sperm developed and traversed the epididymides. Alpha-chlorohydrin represents a possible contraceptive agent.