Enhanced gamete interaction in the sperm penetration assay after coincubation with pentoxifylline and human follicular fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline and heat-inactivated human follicular fluid (FF) on performance in the sperm penetration assay (SPA) as a paradigm for the effect of these agents on human sperm-egg interaction in vivo and in vitro fertilization.


METHODS
Semen specimens from men undergoing SPA testing for evaluation of suspected male factor infertility were coincubated with neat medium or media supplemented with pentoxifylline or human FF in a nonblinded manner.


METHODS
Twenty male factor infertility patients.


METHODS
Semen specimens were preincubated with: [1] pentoxifylline 0.25 mg/mL; [2] 10% human FF; [3] pentoxifylline+human FF; and [4] neat Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham medium.


METHODS
Differences in the rate of penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes.


RESULTS
Preincubation with either human FF or pentoxifylline produced a significant improvement in hamster egg penetration rates. Coincubation with a combination of human FF and pentoxifylline resulted in a significant enhancement of penetration as compared with single agent treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Coincubation of sperm with human FF and pentoxifylline may provide a means of enhancing sperm activity for insemination and assisted reproduction.
Lambert
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida.
Steinleitner
A
A
Eisermann
J
J
Serpa
N
N
Cantor
B
B
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D010431:Pentoxifylline