Omeprazole does not alter human sperm motility, viability or DNA integrity in vitro

The effect of omeprazole, a commonly used drug belongs to proton--pump inhibitor class, on human sperm function is still undetermined. Here, we hypothesised that addition of omeprazole to the ejaculated human semen may affect sperm parameters, and hence sperm function. Therefore, we assessed the in vitro effect of omeprazole on human sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity. Sixty-six normozoospermic semen samples were collected randomly from men who attended the andrology laboratory at King Abdullah University Hospital. Sperm motility, viability and DNA breaks were assessed in the presence (1-hr incubation at 37°C) of omeprazole at 5, 10, 20 and 50 µM compared to control (0 µM). None of the examined sperm parameters, at any tested omeprazole concentration, showed significant difference (p > 0.05) compared with the control. In conclusion, omeprazole at 5, 10, 20 and 50 µM does not alter human sperm motility, viability or DNA integrity in vitro.