Effect of Norhydroxyprogesterone Caproate on Cervical Sperm Penetration and Secretion of Ovarian Steroids in the Human Female

Abstract

Compound SH 8.0582 (19-norhydroxyprogesterone 17α-caproate) is a depôt gestagen which in experiments on laboratory animals seemed to have a slightly higher inhibitory affinity for peripheral reproductive organs than for gonadotropin. In this study it was injected on day 5 of the menstrual cycle in healthy young subjects. The action was recorded by daily quantitative determination of sperm penetration in the cervical mucus. The influence on ovarian function was estimated by determination of urinary total oestrogens and urinary pregnanediol or plasma progesterone. Doses of 5 mg or more tended to prolong the cycle length, prevented cervical sperm penetration and decreased ovarian steroid secretion. Lower doses did not consistently influence any of these parameters. There was no certain specificity for the cervix.