AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

SH 714 (1, 2-alpha-methylene-6-chloro-delta-4, 6-17-alphahydroxyprogesterone acetate) synthesized by Schering AG is an highly antiandrogenic, nonestrogenic compound. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the compound's effect upon the cell associations of the germinal epithelium in the mature rat. From germinal epithelium for this dosage level of SH 714 was exhibited in the 20 day animals. It was postulated that SH 714 acted upon the more advanced steps (eight through 19) of spermiogenesis, thus inhibiting the maturing spermatids. several preliminary dosage level studies, 16 mg per animal per day was chosen for this study and administered for ten or twenty days. Somatic and accessory reproductive organ changes due to SH 714 demonstrated a significant decrease in the weights of the testes, adrenals, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostates. There was no change, however, upon thyroid, pituitary, or total body weights when compared with control animals. The greatest effect upon the germinal epithelium for this dosage level of SH 714 was exhibited in the 20 day animals. It was postulated that SH 714 acted upon the more advanced steps (eight through 19) of spermiogenesis, thus inhibiting the maturing spermatids.