Objective
Follicle-stimulating hormone and high intratesticular (IT) testosterone (T) level are required for qualitatively normal spermatogenesis. Treatment with T has been successfully tested in male contraception, because it can abolish gonadotrophin secretion through enhanced negative feedback action and arrest spermatogenesis. However, none of the T treatment regimens tested have resulted in complete azoospermia in all men, for reasons not yet understood. After complete T induced suppression of gonadotrophins, the residual ITT levels are 2% of normal, yet similar to those in peripheral circulation. The residual constitutively produced ITT could be the reason for the suboptimal contraceptive efficacy. The purpose of this study is to address in details the dependence of spermatogenesis and its suppression during contraceptive treatments on ITT level. The particular aim of this proposal will be to demonstrate in experimental conditions (mice) that the necessary peripheral androgen actions and spermatogenic arrest can be achieved simultaneously, which is fundamental for the functionality of an androgen based male hormonal contraceptive. The project will be articulated on three major objectives: (i) to determine the threshold of T replacement dose that maintains peripheral androgen actions without stimulating spermatogenesis; (ii) to design a way to suppress ITT production below the level achieved by gonadotrophin blockage, and (iii) to design a way to increase the efficacy and safety margin of T replacement dose by blockage of the constitutive T production. We expect that these experimental studies will show that it is important to eliminate the gonadotrophin independent component of ITT to maximise the efficacy of male hormonal contraception. In addition, this project permits the researcher to undertake the research with a view to completing and diversifying her expertise in molecular biology and endocrinology and pursue her career in academic research.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.