Elsevier

Contraception

Volume 21, Issue 4, April 1980, Pages 393-413
Contraception

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

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(80)80017-5Get rights and content

Abstract

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/antigonadotropic effects at the hypothalamo-pituitary level in addition to its antiandrogenic action at the testicular level.

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    *

    This study was supported by a research grant from the WHO: Task Force Program on Regulation of Male Fertility (WHO TO 1472).

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