title: Effect of pentoxifylline on human sperm motility and fertilizing capacity.
abstract: The effect of pentoxifylline (PF) treatment on human sperm motility and fertilizing capacity was assessed in 43 couples undergoing IVF/ET, as well as in 84 couples treated with AIH/IUI. Sperm motility increased following PF treatment in asthenospermic samples (n = 12) from 39.2 +/- 1.5 to 45.5% +/- 2% (p = .05), in oligoasthenospermic (n = 40) from 38.1 +/- 1.6 to 43.6 +/- 1.7% (p = .001), and in total (n = 127) from 50 +/- 1 to 52.5 +/- 1% (p < .001). In addition, PF incubation of sperm samples resulted in higher sperm motility values compared to swim-up in all categories of sperm samples. Furthermore, progressive motility increased in all sperm groups following PF treatment (astheno-spermic: +16.7%; oligoasthenospermic: +14%, p < .001; oligozoospermic: +23.5%, p < .001; normozoospermic: +15.3%, p < .05; total +19.2%, p < .001). Sperm preparation with PF resulted in higher fertilization rates in all categories of sperm samples compared to swim-up (total: 46.6 vs. 29.1%, respectively; p < .05). Moreover, PF treatment of human sperm resulted in 9 viable pregnancies (IVF/ET: 5, AIH/IUI: 4) and one biochemical (IVF/ET). PF improving sperm motility and fertilizing capacity appears to be a promising motility stimulant.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of OB/GYN, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tarlatzis
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kolibianakis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bontis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tousiou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lagos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mantalenakis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010431:Pentoxifylline