title: Effect of ethanol and methanol on the motility of Saccostrea commercialis sperm and sperm models.
abstract: The organic solvents methanol and ethanol at concentrations of 2.5% and 5% (v/v), respectively, were found to significantly (P less than 0.001) decrease the radius of curvature and track velocity of S. commercialis sperm. To observe the effects of the solvent directly on the axoneme, S. commercialis sperm models were prepared by extraction with Triton X-100 and reactivation with ATP in media containing acetate anions, DTT, magnesium, and cAMP. Concentrations of 0.1% Triton X-100 demembranated sperm while 0.01% and 0.05% Triton X-100 permeabilized sperm. Sperm models were successfully produced after reactivation with 1 mM ATP. At pH 8.25, 1% (v/v) ethanol or methanol was observed to increase waveform asymmetry and significantly (P less than 0.001) decrease track velocity of 0.1% Triton X-100 demembranated sperm models. Similarly 1% (v/v) ethanol increased tail-wave asymmetry and decreased track velocity of 0.01% and 0.05% Triton X-100 permeabilized sperm models. Reactivated motility of 0.05% Triton X-100 permeabilized sperm models prepared at pH 7.8 were poor and improved after treatment with 7% (v/v) ethanol, which increased waveform asymmetry and doubled the track velocity of sperm. This stimulatory effect of ethanol was unchanged in the presence of the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor pyrazole. Concerning the precise mechanism of action of ethanol on the axoneme, we conclude that a stimulatory or inhibitory effect of ethanol is dependent on the pH of the sperm model system used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Molinia
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Swan
mesh_terms: D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000187:drug effects; D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017830:Octoxynol; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000502:physiology*; D010784:Photomicrography; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D011720:Pyrazoles; D000431:Ethanol; C031280:pyrazole; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017830:Octoxynol; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000432:Methanol