Inhibition of Ovulation in the Human 229 



D. Indices of Ovulation-Suppression with Other \9-Nor Steroids 



Methylpregnone,* another 19-nor steroid more recently tested by us, did not 

 give consistent results as far as ovulation v^as concerned (33). This is indicated 

 in the normal pregnanediol excretion, as well as in the qualities of the endo- 

 metrial specimens taken on or about cycle-day 21 (Table 4), The increase in 

 basal body temperature might have been due to the thermogenic effect of 

 the administered norsteroid. 



Table 4. Effects of 17a-HYDROXY-6a-METHYLPROGESTERONE-17-ACETATE Alone on Normally 



Cyclic Women f 



t Abbreviations: n.d. = not done; Sp. = spotting during medication; B.T. = breakthrough bleeding; 

 + = positive; — = negative; n.r. = no record. 

 X Figures = cycle-days when ovulation was indicated. 



As shown in Table 5, still another 19-nor steroid, 17a-(l-methallyl)-19- 

 nortestosterone, supplied to us by G. D. Searle & Co. as SC-8117, likewise 

 was not too effective. It, also, was associated with an increase in basal body 

 temperature. While this steroid does possess certain progestational qualities, 

 it did not seem, in the dosage used, to suppress ovulation, except in rare 

 instances. 



IV. FERTILITY CONTROL WITH ENOVID 



Table 6 shows the extent of the work organized by Dr. Pincus (30) up to 

 November, 1958. The field work is at present supervised by Dr. Manuel 

 Paniagua and Dr. Adaline Pendleton in Puerto Rico and by Drs. Rene Nicolas, 



* 17a-hydroxy-6a-methylprogesterone-17-acetate (SC-9686 — Searle and R-2076 — Root 

 Chemicals), the same as Provera (Upjohn). 



