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Protection from Procarbazine-induced Damage of Spermatogenesis in the Rat by Androgen¹

Radiotherapy Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Clifton Avenue, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PX, United Kingdom

Protection of spermatogenesis from cytotoxic drug-induced damage has been investigated in the rat. Complete germinal aplasia was observed at 8 and 11 weeks after four doses of procarbazine hydrochloride administered weekly (150 mg/kg, first dose; 100 mg/kg, 3 subsequent doses). Pretreatment of rats for 6 weeks plus continued treatment during procarbazine administration with testosterone enanthate, 240 µg/100 g body weight, resulted in a marked protection of spermatogenesis. A mean of 22% of seminiferous tubule cross-sections at both 8 and 11 weeks exhibited spermatogenesis, and developing spermatids were observed in 60% of these repopulating tubules at the later time. These results provide evidence that protection of spermatogenesis during chemotherapy may be achieved by androgen treatment.

¹ This investigation was supported by grant 5R01 CA26059, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 6/11/85. Revised 9/24/85. Revised 12/27/85. Accepted 12/30/85.