Metal chelators change the human sperm motility pattern.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of zinc on the generation of motility.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of the Center of Dermatology and Andrology.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients and 10 sperm donors.


METHODS
Motile spermatozoa were isolated by swim-up and incubated for 1, 2, 4 or 6 hours with DL-penicillamine, 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-sulfonate, and meso-2,3-dimercapto-succinimic acid at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 micro mol/L.


METHODS
Motility was analyzed by means of computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).


RESULTS
Significant dose-dependent changes in nonlinear motility, progressive motility, and velocity straight line (VSL) were observed. After only 1 hour of incubation, nonlinear motility decreased, and progressive motility and VSL increased. The percentage of immotile spermatozoa was not affected. Time-dependent changes in motility were observed on a significantly higher or lower level as compared to the control. Comparing the chelators after 2 hours revealed that DL-penicillamine showed the strongest effect on the sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
The results imply that chelators can eliminate at least some part of the zinc from the flagellum. This zinc elimination appears to lead to comparable changes of the outer dense fibers as seen in vivo during epididymal maturation, finally resulting in improved motility.
Wroblewski
Nicolai
N
Center for Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Schill
Wolf Bernhard
WB
Henkel
Ralf
R
D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004113:Succimer / Q000494:pharmacology; D014494:Unithiol / Q000494:pharmacology
D002614:Chelating Agents; D014494:Unithiol; D004113:Succimer; D010396:Penicillamine