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.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D006801:Humans; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018942:Macrolides; D008297:Male; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009550:Nigericin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D007476:Ionophores; D018942:Macrolides; D000001:Calcimycin; D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; D008985:Monensin; D009550:Nigericin; C050476:nonactin