SUPPRESSION OF TESTICULAR AND EPIDIDYMAL FUNCTIONS IN A NONHUMAN PRIMATE (BONNET MONKEY) BY COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF A GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE ANTAGONIST AND TESTOSTERONE BUCICLATE

The ability of a long-acting androgen, testosterone buciclate (TB), to induce suppression of testicular and epididymal sperm Junctions when given in combination with a potent GnRH antagonist (Antide) either on day 1 or 45 of Antide administration (days 1-90) as well as the abilit y of TB to maintain Antide-induced suppression of spermatogenesis were evaluated in adult bonnet monkeys. A group of untreated animals (grou p I) acted as controls. All animals given Antide and androgen simultan eously (group II) became azoospermic but at different times. When andr ogen administration was delayed 45 days after start of Antide treatmen t (group III), the mean sperm concentration remained in the normosperm ic range and only three animals became azoospermic. Antide given alone (group IV) induced azoospermia in three animals and oligospermia in t he remaining animals; spermatogenesis recovered when Antide was withdr awn and TB was injected. In all Antide-treated animals (groups II-IV), non-motile spermatozoa or sperm with non-progressive motility and poo r gel penetrability were seen in the ejaculate.