The inhibitory effect of some ionophores on human sperm motility

The inhibitory effect of five ionophores, namely, A23187, nonactin, nigericin, monensin and m-chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone, on human sperm motility were measured with a trans-membrane migration method. The concentrations of A23187 and nigericin that decreased sperm motility to 50% of control were 20 microM (10.5 mg/l) and 8 microM (5.8 mg/l), respectively. Because these two ionophores were more potent than previously reported membrane-active sperm-immobilizing agents, we propose that ionophores could be a new category of vaginal contraceptive if a pharmaceutical preparation that is safe to be administered in vivo can be developed.