Heavy metals and human spermatozoa: II. The effect of seminal plasma on the toxicity of copper metal for spermatozoa.
The ability of copper metal to immobilize human spermatozoa was assessed in vitro. Copper (200 mm2) significantly decreased the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa over a 3-hour incubation at 37 degrees C. The toxicity of the copper was potentiated by washing the spermatozoa free of seminal plasma. Once they had been immobilized, spermatozoa did not regain motility even after extensive washing, prolonged dialysis, or treatment with copper-specific chelating agents. Apparently copper induces a change in the properties of the spermatozoa which results in irreversible immobilization. The relevance of these observations to the action of intrauterine devices (IUD) bearing copper is discussed.
D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D003300:Copper; D010396:Penicillamine