Abstract
Pest rodents persistently undermine crop yields and food security. Fertility control could be a viable alternative for managing rodent populations. This study investigates the antifertility effects of various concentrations of clarithromycin combined with 1.0 mg/kg quinestrol on male rodents to determine an effective contraceptive dose that minimizes quinestrol usage, addressing concerns such as environmental residue and poor palatability. Male mice were divided into five groups and administered different doses of clarithromycin or clarithromycin and quinestrol for three consecutive days, while the control group received sunflower seed oil only. After seven days, organ weights, reproductive organ weights, sperm density, serum hormone levels, CYP3A4, and proteins in the liver and small intestine were measured to assess persistent effects. Compared with the control group, all treatment groups had significant reductions in epididymal weight, seminal vesicle weight, and serum T levels. Quinestrol, alone or combined with clarithromycin, increased liver and spleen weight. Co-administration of clarithromycin further reduced sperm density and serum LH levels compared to quinestrol alone. The combination of 2.0 mg/kg clarithromycin and quinestrol mitigates issues such as organ enlargement caused by quinestrol alone. Moreover, it reduces the elevation in total enzyme content, diminishing quinestrol's induction of the CYP3A4 enzyme, enhancing the sterilizing effectiveness and efficiency of rodent population control.