1. Injectable Testosterone May Provide Effective Male Contraception
2. News Media Registration Open for ENDO 09 in Washington, D.C.
3. New “Research Highlights” from The Hormone Foundation Inform the Public
1. Injectable Testosterone May Provide Effective Male Contraception
Researchers in China may have found a method for male contraception that is effective, reversible and without serious short-term adverse effects according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
“For couples who can not, or prefer not to use only female-oriented contraception, options have been limited to vasectomy, condom and withdrawal,” said Dr. Yi-Qun Gu, MD, of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China. “Our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative.”
Dr. Gu said this study is the largest multi-center, male hormonal contraceptive efficacy clinical trial of an androgen preparation in the world. Participants included 1,045 healthy fertile Chinese men aged 20-45 years. Each participant had fathered at least one child within the two years before the study and had a normal medical history. Their female partners were between 18 and 38 years of age and had normal reproductive function.
Males were injected monthly with 500 mg of a formulation of testosterone undecanoate (TU) in tea seed oil for thirty months. Results showed a cumulative contraceptive failure (pregnancy) rate of 1.1 per 100 men in the 24-month efficacy phase. No serious adverse events were reported and reproductive function returned to the normal fertile reference range in all but two participants.
“Despite the present encouraging results, the long-term safety of this hormonal male contraceptive regimen requires more extensive testing with a focus on cardiovascular, prostate and behavioral safety,” said Dr. Gu.
Other researchers working on the study include Xiaowei Lang of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China; Weixiong Wu of Guangzhou Institute for Population and Family Planning in Guangzhou, China; Minli Liu of Guizhou Institute for Population and Family Planning in Guiyang, China; Shuxiu Song of Hebei Research Institute for Family Planning in Shijiazhuang, China; Lifa Cheng and Liwei Bo of Henan Research Institute for Population and Family Planning in Zhengzhou, China; Chengliang Xiong of Tongji Medical College in Wuhan, China; Xinghai Wang of Jiangsu Family Planning Research Institute in Nanjing, China; Xiaozhang Liu of Sichuan Family Planning Research Institute in Chengdu, China; Lin Peng of Yunnan Family Planning Research Institute in Kunming, China; and Kangshou Yao of Zhejiang Institute of Planned Parenthood in Hangzhou, China.
The article “Multicenter Contraceptive Efficacy Trial of Injectable Testosterone Undecanoate in Chinese Men,” will appear in the June 2009 issue of JCEM.
2. News Media Registration Open for ENDO 09 in Washington, D.C.
News conference topics to include latest research on endocrine disruptors, bariatric surgery, obesity, aging and pregnancy & hormone issues
The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting, ENDO 09 will be held at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, June 10-13, 2009. Approximately 7,500 scientists and clinicians from all over the world are expected to assemble for this premier meeting of hormone research, health science, and endocrinology.
Reporter Eligibility
• Working press employed by bona fide news media: must present a press card, business card, or letter of introduction from an editor of a recognized publication.
• Freelance writers: must present a current members card from the American Medical Writers Association or the National Association of Science Writers; evidence of by-lined work pertaining to science, health, medicine, or biomedical research intended for the general public and published within the past two years; or a letter of assignment from a recognized publication.
• Public information officers of scientific societies, medical associations, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.
• Representatives of for-profit corporations and of the business side of news media must register onsite, pay the appropriate fees, and are not accredited as Press at the meeting.
• Researchers and clinicians who are also reporters and who are presenting at this meeting (oral or poster session) may receive news media credentials if they qualify (see above), but must also register for the meeting and pay the appropriate fee as a presenter.
A full program, including press conferences and media activities, will be distributed as information becomes available. Registered news media receive a badge that provides access to all meeting sessions, as well as to the Newsroom and press conferences. No one will be admitted without a valid ENDO badge.
The News Media Registration Form and information are available online at http://www.endo-society.org/endo/media.cfm
3. New “Research Highlights” from The Hormone Foundation Inform the Public
The Hormone Foundation web site has a new feature that highlights major developments in basic and clinical research in six therapeutic areas. “Research Highlights” provide the public with brief snapshots of early discoveries in endocrinology and the later development of therapeutic interventions. For example, “Diabetes Research Highlights” describes the discovery of insulin in 1921, the landmark 1993 Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, and the development new diabetes medications. Key discoveries in menopause, osteoporosis, pituitary disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, and thyroid disorders are also highlighted. Read more about each therapeutic area.
