Effect of atosiban on rabbit embryo development and human sperm motility.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate embryotoxic potential and effects on human sperm motility of the mixed vasopressin V(1a)/oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban considered for novel indication of improvement of uterine receptivity in embryo-transfer recipients.


METHODS
One-cell rabbit embryo bioassay and human sperm motility bioassay were performed in control media or in media containing atosiban.


METHODS
Private center of reproductive medicine and academic research institute of reproduction biotechnology.


METHODS
Rabbit females (New Zealand and California, N = 15) aged 4.5-6.5 months.


METHODS
In vitro exposure of one-cell rabbit embryos and human sperm to atosiban in the range of therapeutic concentrations clinically occurring in human beings.


METHODS
Embryo development and sperm motility.


RESULTS
Preimplantation development of one-cell rabbit embryos was not affected by atosiban in the concentrations < or =15,000 nM, which was 50-fold higher than the mean plasma concentration reached during regular therapy (300 nM). Atosiban did not affect human sperm motility in concentrations of < or =3,000 nM, in other words, 10 times the human mean plasma concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical application of atosiban in the proposed indication may be safe for embryos because it is compatible with preimplantation rabbit embryo development and human sperm motility.
Pierzynski
Piotr
P
Center for Reproductive Medicine KRIOBANK, Bialystok, Poland. piotr.pierzynski@wp.pl <piotr.pierzynski@wp.pl>
Gajda
Barbara
B
Smorag
Zdzislaw
Z
Rasmussen
Allan Dahl
AD
Kuczynski
Waldemar
W
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014668:Vasotocin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; C047046:atosiban; D014668:Vasotocin