The Use of BCG (Bacille Calmette Guérin) as an Antispermatogenic Agent: Structural and Hormonal Changes

¹ University of Salzburg, Department of Zoology Salzburg, Austria
² Salzburg General Hospital, Department of Urology, Salzburg, Austria

The effectiveness of intratesticularly injected bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) as an antispermatogenic agent was examined by light microscopy in rats after three, six, ten, twenty, and 56 days and in rabbits 70 days after administration. In rats, the interstitium showed a spot-like infiltration and development of granuloma. Many tubules degenerated; some of them were invaded by macrophages destroying the remaining elements. After eight weeks, half of the tubules were devoid of germinal cells. The interstitium was fibrotic or occupied by granuloma. The effects in rabbits were similar to those observed in rats; however, in three cases, a totally granulomatous orchitis had developed. In both species, there were considerable individual differences in response to the agent. In rats injected unilaterally, the contralateral testis was not affected. Plasma testosterone levels seemed to be slightly increased both in rats and rabbits. Plasma FSH levels were decreased in rats. The action of BCG as an antispermatogenic agent is discussed on the basis of these findings.

     Key words: antispermatogenic agent, BCG, contraception, orchitis, granuloma, testis hormones

Submitted on October 2, 1980
Revised on December 3, 1980
Accepted on January 13, 1981