TITLE:
Testosterone and Its Analogs as a Male Contraceptive
AUTHORS:
Abdul S. Ansari, Chandra Shekhar Yadav, Nirmal K. Lohiya
KEYWORDS:
Hormonal Contraception; Suppression of Spermatogenesis; Testosterone; Androgen-Progestin Combination
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Sexual Medicine,
Vol.3 No.3A,
July
19,
2013
ABSTRACT: Male contraception by means of hormonal approach was initiated more than 60 years ago when men became azoospermic with administration of testosterone. The basic principle of male hormonal contraception is suppression of spermatogenesis. Exogenous testosterone/testosterone analogs alone or in combination with progestin have been tested for contraceptive efficacy by inhibiting gonadotropins release from pituitary gland. In this review article, advancement in different testosterone preparation tested alone or in combination for contraceptive efficacy has been focused. Administration of testosterone or testosterone analogs alone failed to provide uniform azoospermia or severe oligospermia (gestin combination has proved better contraceptive efficacy than testosterone alone. Further, long term studies with hormonal regimens and other alternative approaches are required with fewer side effects for development of safe and reversible contraceptive.