K. Okabe et al., Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin with a controlled-release function to immature rats for application in male infertility therapy, DRUG DEV IN, 26(5), 2000, pp. 559-562
Biodegradable poly(or-lactic acid) (PLA) devices with controlled release of
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were fabricated in a 2-mm cylinder form
by the melt-pressing technique. The devices fabricated were inserted subcu
taneously in the backs of immature rats. It was found that the serum level
of testosterone (T) remained constant at approximately 0.7 ng/ml for an exp
erimental period of 14 days, resulting in greater Leydig cell production of
testosterone. This was also suggested from the results of immunohistochemi
cal observation of the testis and weight changes of prostates, such as the
ventral prostates and seminal vesicle.