Insertion of silastic rods containing 25% and 50% atropine adjacent to the epididymis of rats produced a significant suppression in fertility which was temporary with the lower dose and permanent with the higher dose. Both doses also impaired the motility of epididymal spermatozoa and nerve-mediated contractile response of isolated vasa deferentia. In addition, the higher dose caused a significant reduction in the mating frequency. It is concluded that the antifertility effect resulted primarily from oligospermia due to dysfunctioning of seminal emission and/or ejaculation.
