The Role of Zinc in the Posttesticular Antifertility Action of Monochlorhydrin 1

Abstract

Summary

Treatment of male rats with monochlorhydrin (15 mg/kg administered orally for 9 days) caused an increased uptake of ⁶⁵Zn by the epididymis and vas deferens. In no other tissues examined was the ⁶⁵Zn uptake altered. The effect was most pronounced in corpus (92-126% increase in ⁶⁵Zn concn), with substantial increases also in cauda (44%) and vas deferens (29%), all statistically significant changes. Zinc is normally diminished as sperm traverse the epididymal pathway (16). The possibility is considered that these increased concentrations of zinc following monochlorhydrin treatment may be inhibitory, preventing sperm from attaining their final surge of motility in the oviducts requisite to penetration and fertilization of the ovum.