Anomalous Effects of Progesterone on the Maturation and Survival of Spermatozoa in the Epididymis of the Golden Hamster

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of progesterone on the maturation and viability of epididymal spermatozoa was tested in golden hamsters. The corpus epididymidis and ductus deferens were unilaterally ligated so that mature spermatozoa were isolated in the left cauda epididymidis whilst the contralateral epididymis was left intact. Fertility trials showed that after eight daily consecutive injections of progesterone (1·0 mg) spermatozoa on both sides retained normal fertilizing ability. Treatment with progesterone (0·25 and 1·0 mg) for 12 days, however, decreased the fertilization rate of retained spermatozoa to 44·4% and 0%, respectively, whereas fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from the intact cauda epididymidis remained unimpaired. In addition, progesterone (1·0 mg/day) did not influence passage of spermatozoa through the epididymis. Male hamsters treated with progesterone (0·25 mg/day) in combination with testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) or 3α-androstanediol (all at 50 μg/day for 12 days revealed that 3α-androstanediol and 5α-DHT (but not testosterone) antagonized the antifertility effect of progesterone on retained epididymal spermatozoa. Furthermore, treatment of castrated hamsters with testosterone, 5α-DHT or 3α-androstanediol (100, 75 and 12·5 μg/day, respectively) in combination with progesterone (1·0 mg/day) showed that progesterone inhibited the stimulatory effect of testosterone but not that of 5α-DHT and 3α-androstanediol. The dissimilar effect of progesterone on fertilizing ability of spermatozoa in ligated and intact epididymides is discussed.

Steroids in Fluids and Sperm Entering and Leaving the Bovine Epididymis, Epididymal Tissue, and Accessory Sex Gland Secretions1

“…Perhaps bull sperm complete maturation in the caput and corpus epididymidis where the epithelium is under influence of 5a-reduced androgens and then are stored and maintained in a progesterone-rich environment within the cauda epididymidis. The fertilizing capacity of sperm isolated in the cauda epididymidis of the castrated hamster is maintained under stimulation of progesterone plus either dihydrotestosterone or 3a-androstanediol, but not testosterone (41). However, the studies by LubiczNawrocki (19,41) may not directly support our studies with bulls because hamster spermatozoa do not complete maturation until they are within the cauda epididymidis (42).…”

“…The fertilizing capacity of sperm isolated in the cauda epididymidis of the castrated hamster is maintained under stimulation of progesterone plus either dihydrotestosterone or 3a-androstanediol, but not testosterone (41). However, the studies by LubiczNawrocki (19,41) may not directly support our studies with bulls because hamster spermatozoa do not complete maturation until they are within the cauda epididymidis (42). Similar experiments with rabbits, in which maturation is completed within the corpus epididymidis (18), might demonstrate if progesterone has a role in maintaining the viability of mature sperm within the cauda epididymidis.…”

“…[ 3 H]steroids (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55) Ci/mmol) and [ 14 C]steroids (~50 mCi/mmol), from New England Nuclear Corp. were purified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography (22,26) just before use. Silastic tubing (Dow Corning, 0.76 mm id x 1.65 mm od) was cut into 25-cm lengths which were washed in Ivory soap, rinsed and dried.…”

Role of androgens in survival of spermatozoa in epididymis of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

“…This may be because androgens are concentrated in the cauda epidi¬ dymidis via a luminal route of transport as in the rat (Turner et al, 1984;Turner, 1988). It is also known that the caput and corpus epididymidis of the tammar converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (Jones et al, 1988), a more potent androgen for sperm storage than testoster¬ one (Lubicz-Nawrocki, 1973. However, more work on the tammar is required to resolve the importance of luminal androgens as their concentration will depend on the luminal concentration of proteins that bind androgens (Turner & Roddy, 1990).…”

Regional Differences in Steroidogenesis and Hormone Levels in the Epididymis and Vas Deferens of Adult Rats

“…In view of the known functions of cauda epididymidis and vas deferens, it can only be assumed that progesterone-rich environment may be necessary for the storage cf spermatozoa. The dissimilar effects of progesterone on the maturation and fertilizing ability of normal and retained spermatozoa in the golden hamster as observed by Lubicz-Nawrocki (1973) were not conclusive as for ascertaining the role of progesterone.…”