Glutathione and caffeine antagonize the sperm-immobilizing effect of a vaginal contraceptive.
The concentration-dependent inhibition of Neosampoon, a vaginal contraceptive, on ejaculated human sperm motility was studied with a transmembrane migration method. Caffeine (5mM), glutathione (5mM) and glutathione (15mM) all reactivated the motility of Neosampoon-immobilized sperm. Caffeine (5mM) was more potent than glutathione in antagonizing Neosampoon; there was no difference between the potency of 5mM- and 15mM-glutathione. Human sperm motility could be a model for studying the interaction of membrane-active drugs, including the protective effect of glutathione against membrane-disrupting agents.
D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents; D002110:Caffeine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C029270:menfegol; D005978:Glutathione