[Antifertility effect of 30% ethanol retro-injection into rat vas deferens]
Zhang-yan Zhou1, Li-quan Hu, Huai-peng Wang
1Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
Objective:
To explore the antifertility effect and safety of 30% ethanol retro-injection into the vas deferens of the rat.
Methods:
Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats, 3 m of age and (200 +/- 20) g in weight, were equally randomized into an experimental group and a control group. The former received 30% ethanol (0.5 ml) and the latter 0.9% sodium chloride (0.5 ml), both retro-injected into the vas deferens. Pregnancy rates were obtained through pregnancy tests with 60 Sprague-Dawley female adult rats 1.5 m and 3 m after the injection. All the male rats were sacrificed three months later, and tests were done for the rates of sperm motility and deformity as well as for the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells with TUNEL.
Results:
The 1.5 m pregnancy rate was 0 and the 3 m sperm motility and pregnancy rates were (0.32 +/- 1.12)% and (0.58 +/- 1.27)%, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) as compared with those of the control group, which were (80.62 +/- 2.68)%, (70.68 +/- 1.62)% and (86.62 +/- 1.68)%, respectively. While the 3 m sperm deformity rate in the experimental group was (78.26 +/- 1.08)%, increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells was (7.63 +/- 1.16)% as compared with (5.62 +/- 1.32)% of the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Retro-injection of 30% ethanol into the vas deferens of the rat produces significant antifertility effect on rats, but has no significant influence on their spermatogenic cells.
Insights
Retro-injection of 30% ethanol into the vas deferens induced significant antifertility in male rats. While sperm motility and pregnancy rates decreased, spermatogenic cell apoptosis was not significantly affected.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Urology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Male contraception research is exploring novel methods beyond hormonal treatments.
- Vas deferential injection offers a minimally invasive approach for targeted drug delivery.
- Ethanol's potential as a spermicidal agent warrants investigation for reproductive applications.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the antifertility efficacy of 30% ethanol retro-injected into the vas deferens in a rat model.
- To assess the safety profile of this procedure by examining sperm parameters and spermatogenic cell apoptosis.
- To determine the duration of the antifertility effect.
Summary:
- Thirty male rats were randomized into experimental (30% ethanol injection) and control (saline injection) groups.
- Pregnancy rates were assessed in female rats mated with the experimental and control males at 1.5 and 3 months post-injection.
- Sperm motility, deformity, and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells (TUNEL assay) were analyzed three months post-injection.
Impact:
- 30% ethanol retro-injection into the vas deferens demonstrated a significant antifertility effect in rats.
- The procedure led to drastically reduced sperm motility and pregnancy rates.
- No significant adverse effects were observed on spermatogenic cell apoptosis, suggesting a targeted mechanism of action.