Effect of pentoxifylline on superoxide anion production by human sperm

The in-vitro effect of pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, on superoxide anion generation by sperm was studied in 27 men with superoxide anion production ranging from 0.57 to 13.8 nmoles 02-. per 10(6) sperm. Superoxide anion release stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate, a potent activator of oxygen radical generation, was reduced by 29-72% following the addition of 10 mM pentoxifylline. The inhibitory effect of this millimolar concentration of the drug did not depend on the initial superoxide production in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate. These results point to a potential use for pentoxifylline in the treatment of male infertility in men with an increased superoxide anion generation capacity.