Sperm treatment with pentoxifylline improves the fertilizing ability in patients with acrosome reaction insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether pentoxifylline, a drug previously shown to sensitize spermatozoa from normal samples to the action of acrosome reaction stimuli, can be used to improve the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from patients with acrosome reaction insufficiency.


METHODS
Prospective analysis of pentoxifylline effects on the acrosome reaction and zona-free egg penetration; retrospective comparison of IVF results with and without the use of pentoxifylline.


METHODS
Private hospital, public research center, and university-based laboratory.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization patients selected on the basis of a previous acrosome reaction test.


METHODS
None in the experimental part; IVF-ET in the clinical part of this study.


METHODS
Frequency of the acrosome reaction, rate of penetration of zona-free eggs, normal fertilization in IVF attempts.


RESULTS
Pentoxifylline improves the acrosome reaction scores and zona-free egg penetration rates in patients with acrosome reaction insufficiency. Preliminary clinical experience shows an improvement of IVF results in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro pentoxifylline treatment of spermatozoa to be used in IVF improves the sperm fertilizing ability in patients with acrosome reaction insufficiency. However, the effect of pentoxifylline on the acrosome reaction should be tested individually in each patient before the application of the drug in this new indication.
Center for Reproductive Biology and Medicine, American Hospital of Paris, Neuilly sur Seine, France.
J
J
Tesarik
C
C
Mendoza
D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000001:Calcimycin; D010431:Pentoxifylline