Abstract

Danazol (28 mg/kg body weight) was administered intramuscularly (i.m.) to intact langurs for a period of 48 days. Epididymides weight showed no significant change but tubular lumina were devoid of spermatozoa. These effects were reversible after 180 days of recovery period. Possible antiandrogenic action of the drug was evaluated by administering Danazol in conjunction with testosterone propionate (TP) (0.7 mg/kg body weight) to castrated langurs. Biochemical estimations for total protein and sialic acid contents showed a significant fall in all the treated groups. Whereas, alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in Danazol treated langurs and a decrease was noticed in castrates, which returned to near normal level after recovery period in intact and TP treatment in castrates. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that Danazol effectively suppressed the action of testosterone propionate in castrates. The inhibitory effects of Danazol on steroidogenesis in intact langurs might be due to biochemical interaction at subcellular system.