Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Weinbauer, G. F.
Right arrow Articles by Nieschlag, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Weinbauer, G. F.
Right arrow Articles by Nieschlag, E.

Journal of Andrology, Vol 8, Issue 5 319-329, Copyright © 1987 by The American Society of Andrology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Reversibility of long-term effects of GnRH agonist administration on testicular histology and sperm production in the nonhuman primate

G. F. Weinbauer, M. Respondek, H. Themann and E. Nieschlag
Max Planck Clinical Research Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Munster, Federal Republic of Germany.

The present investigation evaluates the long-term effects of GnRH agonist treatment on testicular histology, sperm production and the subsequent recovery of these parameters. Four adult rhesus monkeys (M. mulatta) were treated with the GnRH agonist nafarelin (D-Nal(2)6-GnRH), released from i.m.--injected poly-D,L-lactic-co-glycolide microspheres for 20 months. Monthly injection of the GnRH agonist preparation uniformly suppressed serum levels of bioactive LH and testosterone. The size of the testis was reduced to about 30% of pretreatment. Sperm counts were suppressed to azoospermia for a total period of 53 and 77 weeks, respectively, in two monkeys and the other two animals were extremely oligozoospermic. Evaluation of testicular biopsy material after 6, 12 and 20 months of treatment revealed decreased seminiferous tubule diameter, spermatogenic disruption at the level of spermatogonia or spermatocytes, accumulation of lipid droplets and secondary lysosomes in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm, and increased thickness of the tubular wall compared with pretreatment histology. Electron microscopic examination revealed that the increased wall thickness was due to an enlargement of the inner collagen layer. No evidence of fibrosis or calcification could be obtained. Leydig cells were atrophic. Serum hormones, testis size and sperm counts returned to pretreatment values within 5 to 8, 13 to 16, and 18 weeks, respectively, after termination of treatment. Testicular histology, assessed 8 months after cessation of treatment, was indistinguishable from pretreatment. It is concluded that GnRH agonist-containing microspheres are a feasible modality for sustained administration of GnRH agonists and GnRH agonist-induced suppression of pituitary and testicular function is reversible following withdrawal of treatment. Thus, GnRH agonists may have a potential for regulation of male fertility and, presumably, also for treatment of precocious puberty.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
P. P. Feuillan, J. V. Jones, K. M. Barnes, K. Oerter-Klein, and G. B. Cutler Jr.
Boys with Precocious Puberty Due to Hypothalamic Hamartoma: Reproductive Axis after Discontinuation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog Therapy
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2000; 85(11): 4036 - 4038.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
S. Schlatt, G. Rosiepen, G.F. Weinbauer, C. Rolf, P.F. Brook, and E. Nieschlag
Germ cell transfer into rat, bovine, monkey and human testes
Hum. Reprod., January 1, 1999; 14(1): 144 - 150.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1987 by The American Society of Andrology.