Pentoxifylline-mediated reduction of superoxide anion production by human spermatozoa

The release of superoxide anions from sperm suspensions prepared for in vitro fertilization was measured by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C in response to phorbol myristate acetate. The superoxide anion production was found to be within the range of 0.21-3.76 nmoles O2- per 10(6) spermatozoa. Spermatozoa pre-incubated in the presence of 3.7 or 10 mM of pentoxifylline for 30 min at 37 degrees C released less (P less than 0.001) superoxide anions than did the untreated-control spermatozoa. It has been concluded that the inhibitory effect of pentoxifylline on superoxide anion production may be a factor contributing to the improvement of sperm preparation before insemination, and may, thereby, increase the fertility potential.