Twenty-one day administration of dienogest reversibly suppresses gonadotropins and testosterone in normal men
Date
2002-05Author
Oettel, Michael
Flamigni, Carlo
Costantino, Antonietta
Meriggiola, M. Cristina
Morselli-Labate, Antonio M.
Huebler, Doris
Bremner, William J.
Bertaccini, Alessandro
Kaufmann, Guenter
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Androgen-progestin combinations are promising male contraceptive regimens.
Optimization of these regimens includes the development of new progestins
with more favorable biological properties. In this context we tested the
effects of the progestin dienogest (DNG) on reproductive hormones and
metabolic parameters in men. After a 3-wk control period, 25 men were
randomly assigned to receive daily doses of 2, 5, or 10 mg DNG or placebo
and 10 mg cyproterone acetate for 21 d (n = 5 subjects/group). Subjects
were followed for 2 wk after cessation of hormone administration. Weekly
blood samples, physical examinations, hormone and chemistry measurements,
semen analysis, and sexual/behavioral assessments were performed. These
parameters were compared among study groups and within each group at
different time points throughout the study periods. DNG and cyproterone
acetate administration resulted in profound suppression of gonadotropins
and T with no change in SHBG levels. No adverse effects were detected in
any subject. Hormone levels returned to baseline after stopping hormone
intake. DNG is a potent suppressor of gonadotropins and T in men and does
not induce adverse effects over a 21-d administration. DNG is a promising
progestin to be used in clinical trials for male contraception.