The effects of in vitro cocaine exposure on human sperm motility, intracellular calcium, and oocyte penetration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if cocaine exposure affects human sperm motility, intracellular calcium level, and fertilizing capability.


METHODS
Human semen samples were treated with 1 to 1,000 microM cocaine hydrochloride for up to 2 hours in vitro. Sperm motion kinematics were measured by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Spermatozoan intracellular calcium was determined by laser cytometry. The sperm fertilizing capability was assessed using the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test.


RESULTS
After a short exposure (15 minutes) to cocaine, the sperm motion kinematic parameters, straight line velocity and linearity, were decreased in the high concentration groups. However, after a longer exposure (2 hours) to cocaine, the differences were no longer significant. Cocaine treatment did not alter spermatozoa intracellular calcium levels. Most importantly, human sperm treated with cocaine at a high concentration were fully capable of penetrating zona-free hamster oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Human spermatozoa acutely exposed to high concentrations of cocaine initially demonstrate a decrease in two motion kinematics, straight line velocity and linearity. However, overall, cocaine exposure had no significant effects on sperm motility and fertilizing capability.
Yelian
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FD
C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
Sacco
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Ginsburg
K A
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Doerr
P A
PA
Armant
D R
DR
D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D003042:Cocaine; D002118:Calcium