Abstract: The invention relates to 17&bgr;-aryl(arylmethyl)oxy(thio)alkyl-androstane derivatives having general formula (I), wherein R1 is (H,OR), (H,OSO3H) or NOR; with R being H, (C1-6)alkyl or (C1-6)acyl; each of R2 and R3 is independently hydrogen or (C1-6)alyl; n is 0, 1, or 2; X is O, S, S(O) or S(O)2; m is 0 or 1; each of R4, R5 and R6 is independently hydrogen, hydroxy, (C1-4)alkoxy, halogen, NR7R8 or (C1-4)alkyl, optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen or oxo; each of R7 and R8 is independently hydrogen or (C1-4)alkyl, and wherein the dotted lines indicate a &Dgr;7 or a &Dgr;8 double bond, or a pair of conjugated double bonds selected from &Dgr;7,14, &Dgr;8,14 and &Dgr;6,8(14); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of the invention have meiosis regulating activity and can be used for the control of fertility.