TESTOSTERONE-METABOLISM BY RHESUS-MONKEY SPERMATOZOA - EFFECTS OF ANTIFERTILITY AGENTS

Androstenedione was the major metabolite when ejaculated rhesus monkey spermatozoa were incubated with C-14-testosterone. Ejaculated human s permatozoa also showed a similar pattern of conversion of testosterone to mainly androstenedione. The percentage of androstenedione formed b y rhesus monkey spermatozoa did not show any statistical difference du ring different months of the year, indicating that this parameter may be useful in evaluating the effect of contraceptive agents in rhesus m onkeys. This was tested in in vitro studies using alpha-chlorohydrin o r cyproterone acetate. The results of these experiments did not show a ny direct effect of the antifertility agents on testosterone-metaboliz ing capacity of rhesus monkey spermatozoa, indicating the possibility that these antifertility agents exert their effects on spermatozoa by alteration of epididymal function.