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Artificial stimulation of cryopreserved human spermatozoa by sodium nitroprusside, 2-chloroadenosine, and
1Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Objective:
We analyzed the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 2-chloroadenosine (2-CLA), and 2-deoxyadenosine (2-DA) on sperm motility and motion characteristics of cryopreserved human spermatozoa.
Methods:
Thawed semen samples from healthy donors (n = 10) were incubated with the stimulants for 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min. The final concentrations used were SNP 25, 50, and 100 nM; 2-CLA 12.5, 25, and 50 microM, and 2-DA 0.5, 1, and 2.5 mM. Sperm motility and changes in motion characteristics were measured on a computer-assisted semen analyzer.
Results:
Compared with control (0 min, no stimulant), a significant improvement in percentage motility was generally seen with all three stimulants even at 180 min. The sperm motility improved at concentrations of 50 and 100 nM for SNP (except at 120 min), 25 and 50 microM for 2-CLA, and at all concentrations of 2-DA. Other sperm motion characteristics increased to varying extent with the stimulants. Of the three stimulants, all concentrations of 2-DA resulted in significant increases in curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement at 60 min of incubation.
Conclusions:
All three stimulants significantly increased percentage motility for extended intervals of time. 2-DA also improved sperm motion characteristics, though these changes were less uniform with 2-CLA. Motility stimulation by these chemicals may be beneficial in the treatment of cryopreserved and oligozoospermic sperm specimens for use in assisted reproduction.