The effect of kallikrein on spermatozoal ATP and other semen parameters

Kallikrein promotes the release of kinins, which have been shown in in vitro studies to improve motility, viability and metabolism in human spermatozoa. The effects of kallikrein therapy on 25 males attending an infertility clinic was assessed, regarding endogenous spermatozoal ATP content, as well as other semen parameters. Thirteen of the 25 patients showed an improvement in either count, morphology, motility, viability, or a combination of these, after 3 months Kallikrein therapy. ATP levels in responders dropped by 58.8% (p less than 0.001). In nonresponders ATP levels did not change significantly. This indicates that improvement in spermatozoal parameters corresponds with increased ATP consumption, following Kallikrein therapy.