Contraception in male monkeys by intra-vas deferens injection of a pH lowering polymer

A new male method of contraception by injecting a polymer, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA), into the lumen of the vas deferens has been studied on rhesus monkeys. The polymer has the dual feature that it can occlude the vas deferens lumen and also it can inhibit the fertilising ability of spermatozoa by virtue of the pH lowering effect. Matings with females were carried out when the lumen was completely occluded giving azoospermia as well as with partial block and spermatozoa present in the semen. All matings were infertile. Data up to one year is presented. All indications are that the contraceptive effect will last for a considerably long period.

Alterations in intestinal function in response to thyroxine and cortisone administration in undernourished rats

Imposition of undernutrition during the suckling period considerably enhanced the intestinal uptake of D-glucose and glycine compared to a control group. Brush border sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were drastically reduced while lactase and leucine amino peptidase levels were significantly elevated at weaning in nutritionally deprived pups as compared to control animals. Cortisone administration to undernourished rats depressed the uptake of D-glucose but stimulated that of glycine. Thyroxine treatment to undernourished animals reduced the uptake of glucose but had no effect on glycine absorption. Brush border sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities were stimulated in cortisone- or thyroxine-injected undernourished rats but lactase activity was depressed under these conditions. Leucine aminopeptidase activity remained unaffected in cortisone- or thyroxine-administered undernourished pups.