Injection of copper powder into epididymides via vas deferens on male fertility
Zhang, X.G.; Xu, Y.; Qian, S.Z.
Advances in Contraceptive Delivery Systems Cds 3(2-3): 167-171
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 1012-8689 PMID: 12268654 Document Number: 353661
In adult SD rats, a single injection of silicon rubber containing 10 mg metallic copper particles via vas deferens into each cauda epididymis could induce male infertility. Although the copper content in the cauda epididymides of treated rats was significantly higher than that in the controls, the serum copper concentration did not rise significantly, whilst the histology of important organs and blood testosterone levels did not change. Treated animals gained weight as fast as the controls, suggesting a low systemic toxicity of this procedure. In five of the eight treated rats fertility was restored 16 weeks after treatment with normal testicular copper concentration and testicular histology. In three, fertility was not restored within 16 weeks and the testicular copper concentration was significantly higher than that in the controls. Only in these three rats were different degrees of damage noted in the seminiferous epithelium and it is anticipated that the fertility will be restored after a certain time, since the spermatogonia were undamaged. The delayed recovery of fertility in these rats is attributed to the diffusion of copper ions into the testis. It would appear that the injection of silicon rubber containing copper particles via the vas deferens to the cauda epididymides is a potential approach for male contraception.