D. B. Owen: Handbook of Statistical Tables. London: Pergamon Press; Reading, Massachusetts: Addison‐Wesley, 1962. Pp. xii+580. 70s.

Handbook of Statistical Tables.

The literature on the mouse sperm morphology test and on other sperm tests in nonhuman mammals was reviewed (a) to evaluate the relationship of these tests to chemically induced spermatogenic dysfunction, germ-cell mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity, and (b) to make an interspecies comparison to chemicals. A total of 71 papers were reviewed. The mouse sperm morphology test was used to assess the effects of 154 of the 182 chemical agents covered. 4 other murine sperm tests were also used: the induction of acrosomal abnormalities (4 agents), reduction in sperm counts, (6 agents), motility (5 agents), and F1 sperm morphology (7 agents)). In addition, sperm tests for the spermatogenic effects of 35 agents were done in 9 nonmurine mammalian species; these included analyses for sperm count, motility, and morphology, using a large variety of study designs. For the mouse sperm morphology test, 41 agents were judged by the reviewing committee to be positive inducers of sperm-head shape abnormalities, 103 were negative, and 10 were inconclusive. To evaluate the relationship between changes in sperm morphology and germ cell mutagenicity, the effects of 41 agents on mouse sperm shape were compared to available data from 3 different mammalian germ-cell mutational tests (specific locus, heritable translocation, and dominant lethal). The mouse sperm morphology test was found to be highly sensitive to germ-cell mutagens; 100% of the known mutagens were correctly identified as positives in the sperm morphology test. Data are insufficient at present to access the rate of false positives. Although it is biologically unclear why one might expect changes in sperm morphology to be related to carcinogenesis, we found that (a) a positive response in the mouse sperm morphology test is highly specific for carcinogenic potential (100% for the agents surveyed), and (b) overall, only 50% of carcinogens were positive in the test (i.e., sensitivity approximately equal to 50%). Since many carcinogens do not produce abnormally shaped sperm even at lethal doses, negative findings with the sperm test cannot be used to classify agents as noncarcinogens. We conclude that the mouse sperm morphology test has potential use for identifying chemicals that induce spermatogenic dysfunction and perhaps heritable mutations. Insufficient numbers of chemicals agents have been studied by the other sperm tests to permit similar comparisons. A comparison of 25 chemicals tested with sperm counts, motility, and morphology in at least 2 species (including man, mouse and 9 other mammals) demonstrated good agreement in response among species. With further study, interspecies comparisons of chemically induced sperm changes may be useful for predicting and evaluating human effects.

An evaluation of the mouse sperm morphology test and other sperm tests in nonhuman mammals: A report of the U.S. environmental protection agency Gene-Tox program

The antifertility actions of α-chlorohydrin in the male

THE potential of α-chlorohydrin (3-chloro-1,2-propanediol; Fig. 1a) as an orally active reversible male antifertility agent has been demonstrated in the rat1,2, ram3 and boar4. Adverse side-effects, however, particularly in the monkey5, have precluded human trials and for this reason, elucidation of the mechanism of action6,7 of α-chlorohydrin is clearly important in order to develop less toxic yet more active antifertility analogues. Although high doses obstruct the lumen of the caput epididymis of the rat2, the initial and primary contraceptive effect seems to be directly on spermatozoa within the cauda epididymis8–11.

Identification of the biochemical lesion produced by α-chlorohydrin in spermatozoa

The 1CH (International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use) Guideline for Detection of Toxicity to Reproduction for Medicinal Pro...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/10915819509008703

Detection of Effects on Male Reproduction—A Literature Survey

Studies with sub-toxic doses of α-chlorohydrin in the male monkey (Macaca Mulatta)

Effect of a copper intrauterine contraceptive device and nylon suture on the estradiol 17β-6, 7-H3 and progesterone 1, 2-H3 in the rat uterus☆

Effect of intrauterine t-device and copper-t on in vitro uptake of estradiol-17β-6, 7-3H and progesterone-1, 2-3H in monkey uterus and cervix*

Long-term effect of an intrauterine contraceptive device on genital organs of rhesus monkeys. A 4 and one-half year study.

The uptake of estradiol-178-6,7-3H and progesterone1,2-3H in the uterus and cervix was investigated by an in vitro method after intrauterine insertion o~ the copper lain-T in monkeys. The estrogen uptake in the uterus of the plain-T device inserted monkeys showed an increase as compared to that of the copper-T inserted animals and the intact controi group (where the T device was not used). Estrogen uptake in the copper T and intact control animals did not show any significant difference. The progesterone uptake was increased in intact control monkeys as compared to that of the copper-T and plain-T inserted monkeys. The estrogen and progesterone uptake in the cervix was similar to that observed in the uterus.

S.K. Roy

Papers

Studies with sub-toxic doses of α-chlorohydrin in the male monkey (Macaca Mulatta)

Effect of a copper intrauterine contraceptive device and nylon suture on the estradiol 17β-6, 7-H3 and progesterone 1, 2-H3 in the rat uterus☆

Effect of intrauterine t-device and copper-t on in vitro uptake of estradiol-17β-6, 7-3H and progesterone-1, 2-3H in monkey uterus and cervix*

Long-term effect of an intrauterine contraceptive device on genital organs of rhesus monkeys. A 4 and one-half year study.

EFFHCT OF INT UTERINE T-DEVICE AND COPPER-T ON IN VITRO UP KE OF HST DIOL-17B-6,7- ~H AND PR -i Z-3H IN N KEY UTERUS AND CE IX*