Question

Which of the following has been found to act as a male contraceptive without affecting libido and potency?

• A. Cyproterone
• B. Gossypol
• C. Centchroman
• D. Goserelin

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine which compound acts as a male contraceptive without affecting libido and potency, we need to understand the properties and effects of each option provided:

• Cyproterone: This is a steroidal anti-androgen, used to reduce sex drive in cases of hypersexuality in men and as a component in some contraceptive pills. It affects libido, which rules it out as an answer.
• Gossypol: A polyphenolic compound derived from cotton plants, gossypol has been investigated for its potential use as a male contraceptive. It inhibits sperm production without reducing testosterone levels, so it does not affect libido or potency. This makes gossypol the correct answer.
• Centchroman: Also known as Ormeloxifene, this is mainly used as a non-steroidal oral contraceptive for women, which marks it as irrelevant for male contraception.
• Goserelin: This is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist which can reduce testosterone levels significantly and is used in the treatment of prostate cancer. This affects both libido and potency, ruling it out as an answer.

After analyzing the properties of each compound, the correct answer is Gossypol as it uniquely acts as a male contraceptive by reducing sperm production without affecting libido or potency.