The effects on the male genital organs and dogs of a new antifertility compound KABi 1774
Nicander, L.
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 31(3): 517-518
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4251 PMID: 4653473 Document Number: 479002
The effects of KABI 1774, a new antifertility compound, on the genital organs of rabbits and dogs were studied by means of electron microscopy. KABI 1774 (2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane) was administered daily in a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight to rabbits for 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days, and in doses of 10 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weights to dogs for 40 days. In rabbits, cell demise was observed in the epididymes, especially in the middle caput and corpus after 2, 5, and 10 days, and was sometimes seen in the accessory gland. After 15 days, spermatozoa in the corpus did not demonstrate normal maturation changes, and after 20 days, spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis were dead. Between 15 and 25 days, the seminiferous tubules showed arrested spermatogenesis, followed by degeneration of all spermatids and many spermatocytes. The epithelium of the pelvic urethra was infiltrated with granulocytes. In dogs, the effects on the seminife rous epithelium ranged from arrested spermatogenesis to complete degeneration of most germ cells. Atrophy of the interstitial cells, shrinkage of the nucleus, and considerable loss of the specialized cytoplasmic ultrastructure were observed. There was some cell death and highly marked atrophy of the epithelium. Generally, no spermatozoa were observed. Marked epithelial atrophy was present in the prostate gland, and a few areas also showed epithelial metaplasia. The findings are con sistent with the concept that the cyclotetrasiloxane compound mimics estrogens in its antigonadotropic effect, though a direct antiandrogenic effect on the epididymes may also be involved.