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Absence of a direct effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha on human sperm function and murine
T J Wincek1, T K Meyer, M R Meyer
1Scott and White Clinic, Texas A and M University College of Medicine, Temple.
Objective:
This study was designed to test the in vitro effects of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF) on sperm motility, fertilization, and preimplantation development.
Design:
A sensitive enzyme immunoassay was used to determine half-lives of rTNF and confirm concentrations of cytokine throughout experimental conditions. Effect of rTNF on human sperm survival was measured by computer-assisted methodology, and effect on human sperm penetration was assessed by hamster ova penetration. Cytokine effect on murine gamete interaction was determined by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Murine preimplantation development was assessed by in vitro development of cryopreserved-thawed one-cell zygotes.
Results:
The half-life of rTNF was reduced by the addition of sperm to culture media (P less than 0.001). Sperm motility (P = 0.245) and hamster ova penetration (P = 0.62) were not altered by incubations in the presence of concentrations of rTNF up to 10,000 U/mL. Mouse IVF (P = 0.60) and preimplantation development (P = 0.56) were not altered by rTNF in concentrations up to 5,000 U/mL.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate rTNF by itself does not interfere with gamete function or early embryo development.