Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology in 1969"

Antispermatogenic effect of Norgestrel in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract: The effect of norgestrel on spermatogenesis was studied in 6 rhesus monkeys who were injected with 3.5 mg norgestrel daily for 94 days. 6 normal monkeys were used as controls. The genital organs were removed within 24 hours of the last injection and analyzed. Norgestrel administration caused a significant decrease in testis weight (p<.01) in fructose concentration in seminal vesicles (p<.01) and in pituitary and serum gonadotropin content (p<.05 and p<.01). The effect of norgestrel on spermatogenesis was inconsistent and unpredictable with some animals severely affected and others not at all. Though a peripheral anti-androgenic effect is prompted by norgestrel this steroid does not appear to be effective in selective control of spermatogenesis.

Nutritive value of leaf protein from lucerne (Medicago sativa): Growth responses in rats at different protein levels and to supplementation with lysine and or methionine.

Abstract: Weanlin~ albino rats gained weight in increasing order with increasing leveis of protein in diets; the optimum feed and protein efflciencies were at 15% protein level. Methionine caused significant Improvements in growth of rats and also with respect to feed and protein efficiencies at all protein levels, indicating it to be the most limiting amino acid. Methionine supplementation showed best responses at 10% protein level. Ly_ sine, when added either singly or in combination with methionine, did not show any hnprovements suggesting its nutritional adequacy in leaf protein.

Reproduction in goats subsequent to removal of intrauterine spirals.

Abstract: An experiment was conducted in which female goats were fitted with intrauterine polyethylene spirals in 1 or both uterine horns. Their fertility was tested with the devices in place and after removal and compared with control goats fertility. The estrous cycle in goats fitted with IUDs was reduced; the cycle returned to normal following removal of the IUD. This is evidence that no permanent endocrine changes are induced by IUDs. Following removal of the spirals overall fertility of the IUD-fitted goats was 71% compared to 100% for the control group. This difference was not statistically significant. No uterine pathological changes were induced by the spirals. It would seem that the contraceptive effect of IUDs lasts only while the device is in place.

Effect of estrogen on survival of spermatozoa in the genital tract of castrated male rats.

Abstract: The sperm survival time in the epididymis has been estimated to be between 30 and 70 days in thr rat rabbit guinea pig and bull. Spermatozoa survive in the epididymis of castrated rats for only about 2 weeks. Androgens have been reported to prolong the survival time. The effect of estrogen on the spermatozoal survival time in castrated rats is reported here. Adult male albino rats were castrated. There were 11 groups of 6-8 animals each. Control groups were sacrificed at intervals up to 20 days. Others were given im injections of estradiol dipropionate from .1 to 8mg/animal daily beginning on the day of operation. Sperm was collected from 3 areas of the epididymis and the vas deferens and examined under a phase-contrast microscope. At 3 days postcastration spermatozoa were affected only in the caput of the epididymis by a 25% reduction in numbers and by immobility. At 7 days postcastration 50-100% reduction in the corpus of the epididymis was found and absence in the caput. By 15 days both caput and corpus contained mostly decapitated sperms and at 20 days there was complete azoospermia. Apparently estrogen treatment failed to exaggerate the effect of androgen deficiency in these castrated rats.