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Suppression of Spermatogenesis by Bisdichloroacetyldiamines Is Mediated by Inhibition of Testicular Retinoic Acid Biosynthesis

CHARLES H. MULLER

JAKOB A. SHIMSHONI

NINA ISOHERRANEN

JISUN PAIK

From the Departments of ^* Medicine, Urology, Pharmaceutics, and Comparative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine and School of Pharmaceutics, Seattle, Washington; the ^|| Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; the ^¶ School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and the ^# Focused Scientific, Newcastle, Washington.

Correspondence to: Dr John K. Amory, University of Washington, Box 356429, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195 (e-mail: jamory{at}u.washington.edu).

Abstract

The bisdichloroacetyldiamine WIN 18,446 reversibly inhibits spermatogenesis in many species, including humans; however, the mechanism by which WIN 18,446 functions is unknown. As retinoic acid is essential for spermatogenesis, we hypothesized that WIN 18,446 might inhibit retinoic acid biosynthesis from retinol (vitamin A) within the testes by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (ALDH1a2). We studied the effect of WIN 18,446 on ALDH1a2 enzyme activity in vitro, and on spermatogenesis and fertility in vivo, in mature male rabbits for 16 weeks. WIN 18,446 markedly inhibited ALDH1a2 enzyme activity in vitro with an IC₅₀ of 0.3 µM. In vivo, the oral administration of 200 mg/kg WIN 18,446 to male rabbits for 16 weeks significantly reduced intratesticular concentrations of retinoic acid, severely impaired spermatogenesis, and caused infertility. Reduced concentrations of intratesticular retinoic acid were apparent after only 4 weeks of treatment and preceded the decrease in sperm counts and the loss of mature germ cells in tissue samples. Sperm counts and fertility recovered after treatment was discontinued. These findings demonstrate that bisdichloroacetyldiamines such as WIN 18,446 reversibly suppress spermatogenesis via inhibition of testicular retinoic acid biosynthesis by ALDH1a2. These findings suggest that ALDH1a2 is a promising target for the development of a reversible, nonhormonal male contraceptive.

     Key words: Retinol, vitamin A, male contraception, sperm concentration

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