The effect of hormonal male contraception on sperm count

Abstract

Background: The hormonal method of contraception is one way of contraception that has been investigated for several years following the observations that spermatogenesis depends on stimulation by gonadotrophins, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone. Objectives: To test the effect of combination of medroxyprogesterone acetate and testosterone enanthate on sperm count, body weight and sexual libido.Subjects & Methods: 60 adult fertile male were included in this project and divided randomly according to random clinical trial (Triple blind technique) into two groups experimental and control groups, the experimental group include 30 adult fertile male with average age of 33.5 years, they received intramuscular injection of 150 mg of Medroxyprogesterone acetate every three months and intramuscular injection 250 mg of Testosterone enanthate (which is a physiological dose) every two weeks for 2 years, while the control group included also 30 adult fertile male with average age of 34.3 years, they were given normal saline injection . Seminal fluid analyses were done for each group every three months. The body weights of the experimental group were recorded before the treatment and then every 6 months during this project. Results: The volunteers during the time of the project were in good general health, normal appetite, normal sexual drive (there was no loss of libido), all the volunteers of the experimental group were rendered into azospermic and oligospermic state from the first seminal fluid analysis, no one of their wives developed pregnancy. This study also revealed that there were no significant changes in the body weight of the experimental group before and during the treatment. Conclusions: Medroxyprogesterone acetate and testosterone enanthate is an effective hormonal male contraception that makes all the experimental volunteers azospermic and oligospermic, and safe from the apparent side effects.Key words: Male contraception, Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Fertility control