Effect of local application of guanethidine to epididymis on fertility in rats
Ratnasooriya, W.D.; Manatunga, A.M.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 19(9): 867-870
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 7309172 Document Number: 178675
Guanethidine, a sympatholytic drug, was applied locally to the epididymis of rats using a slow-releasing formulation made from medical grade silastic. The treatment caused permanent sterility at a higher dose level but temporary sterility at a lower level. This effect lasted up to 4 wk. During the period of maximal antifertility effect (3-14 days) sperm counts of the ejaculates were extremely low. Guanethidine also caused a reduction in the motility of sperm of the cauda epididymis and development of edema. The root cause of antifertility effect observed apparently is the reduction of sperm numbers in ejaculate which could have been produced by a failure of cauda and vas deferens to contract normally at mating due to sympatholytic activity of the drug on short adrenergic neurons innervating these structures.