title: The effects of sodium and amiloride on the motility of the caudal epididymal spermatozoa of the rat.
abstract: The forward motility of the rat caudal epididymal spermatozoa has been studied in different Na+ concentrations. When spermatozoa were suspended in a completely Na+-free solution, the forward motility suffered a progressive fall and after 3 h was completely suppressed. This effect was fully reversible on resuspending the spermatozoa in a solution containing Na+. Amiloride caused a fall in motility and the effect was similar to that of Na+ removal. The inhibition by amiloride of the motility was concentration dependent and the dose response curve showed an IC50-value of about 5 x 10(-5) M. The role of Na+ influx in the maintenance of sperm motility was discussed.
mesh_terms: D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011719:Pyrazines; D000584:Amiloride; D012964:Sodium