The influence of antiandrogens on the excretion of FSH, LH AND 17-ketosteroids in males

Effect of cyproterone acetate on adenohypophysis of castrated mice

Pituitaries from castrated male mice injected with cyproterone acetate were examined ultrastructurally. LH gonadotrophs showed two types: (a) those containing a dilated RER, a hypertrophied Golgi, and decreased granular content; and (b) those presenting an electron lucent cytoplasm and a nonhypertrophied RER. Following cyproterone acetate treatment both LH cell types showed increased RER cisternal hypertrophy and absence of Golgi membranes. In LH type (a) gonadotroph-increased granular content was noted. No detectable alterations were noted in FSH gonadotrophs following cyproterone acetate treatment. Cyproterone acetate may have stimulated the synthesis of the protein component but inhibited the incorporation of the carbohydrate moiety and LH release.

The effect of cyproterone acetate on the mouse adenohypophysis. II. Gonadotrophs and somatotrophs

The adenohypophyses of adult male C57BL/6J mice pituitaries injected with cyproterone acetate for four weeks were examined with the electron microscope. The gonadotrophs showed an accumulation of the hormone-containing granules, and a noticeable decrease in the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The somatotrophs exhibited proliferated profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, hypertrophied Golgi apparatus, and a slight decrease in the GH-containing granules. It is believed that the cyproterone acetate may have inhibited synthesis and release of the gonadotropins, and may have stimulated the GH -producing cells through the progestational activity of this antiandrogen.

The effect of cyproterone acetate on serum testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin in male sexual offenders

The anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate, was administered in a dose of 100 mg/day to eight adult male sexual offenders for 21-31 days. Serum testosterone fell to subnormal levels within 7 days and remained low for 6-28 days after treatment was stopped. The fall in testosterone was accompanied by a fall in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and a rise in serum prolactin. All subjects experienced a decrease in libido and in frequency of masturbation. The probable mechanisms of action of cyproterone acetate are discussed, as is its potential role in the management of sexual offenders. These studies suggest that measurement of serum testosterone could be used as an index of compliance in sexual offenders treated with cyproterone acetate who are released on parole.

Medium dose cyproterone acetate (CPA): effects on hormone secretion and on spermatogenesis in men

Medium dose cyproterone acetate (CPA; 10 mg daily p.o.) was administered to 10 fertile men for 12 weeks. Hormonal measurements and semen analyses were performed before, during (4th and 12th week) and after CPA treatment. At the hypothalamo-pituitary level CPA significantly reduced the hypophyseal storage and synthesis capacity for gonadotropins. Basal LH and FSH concentrations were suppressed by 30% and 40%, respectively; while basal prolactin was elevated by 75%. The episodic fluctuations of peripheral gonadotropins remained unaffected. At the testicular level CPA significantly decreased basal testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations by 70% and 50%, respectively. The pulsatile pattern of androgen secretion was abolished. CPA also inhibited spermatogenesis and motility. No serious clinical side effects were observed. All changes appeared to be completely reversible. It is concluded that medium dose CPA induces progestational/anti-gonadotropic effects at the hypothalamo-pituitary level in addition to its antiandrogenic action at the testicular level.

The influence of human menopausal gonadotropin, natrium fluoride and cyproterone acetate on the spermatogenesis in immature rats

Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), natrium fluoride (NaF) and cyproterone acetate (CYA) were applied to immature male rats between the 26th and 32nd day of life and histological examination was performed in testes of 33rd-day-old rats. HMG treatment alone slightly influenced the spermatid completion process, while NaF evidently increased frequency of occurrence of various seminiferous tubules containing spermatids. CYA alone damaged the spermatid completion process (especially the cap-phase of spermiogenesis), produced a degeneration of meiotic spermatocytes, and decreased the tubular diameter. Those changes were prevented by addition of HMG to the CYA treated animals. The results suggest a possible regulatory role of FSH at the end of the first meiosis, and, also, in the progression of spermiogenesis. The mechanism of action of NaF may be hypothetical, but it probably consists of direct action on the seminiferous epithelium level.

Reversible insensitivity to androgens in men with untreated gluten enteropathy

Plasma androgen and gonadotrophin concentrations have been measured before and during treatment of 23 men with gluten enteropathy. Before treatment, there was marked rise in total plasma-testosterone, free testosterone concentration (as assessed by the free testosterone index), and plasma-luteinising-hormone concentration. In contrast, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone concentrations were lower than normal. All these abnormalities reverted towards normal with successful treatment of the jejunal mucosal lesion. These data are consistent with a reversible tissue resistance to circulating plasma-testosterone in men with gluten enteropathy and subtotal villous atrophy.

Cyproterone acetate: I. Microquantity releasing device of cyproterone acetate and its failure in inducing functional sterility in male rats

Prasad and his coworkers emphasized that microquantities of cyproterone acetate (CPA) when continuously available developed functional sterility in male rats by interfering the epididymal physiology. In our experimental rats either 2 or 3 capsules containing CPA as per the specification of Prasad were implanted subcutaneously and left for 300 and 250 days, respectively. Fertility test was made every month and it was observed that all the experimental animals were able to impregnate female rats throughout the experiment. Excepting the epididymis the weight of testes and other accessory glands did not differ from the controls in the animals which had 2 CPA capsules for 300 days; On the other hand, the animals which received 3 CPA capsules for 250 days showed significant reduction in weight of all the acessory glands including the testes.