title: Effect of nitric oxide on ram sperm motility in vitro.
abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of NO on sperm motility of ram. After incubation of normozoospermic samples for 160 min in the presence of L-arginine (NOS substrate), SNP (NO donor), L-NAME (non-selective nitric oxide inhibitor) and packed erythrocytes (NO scavenger), sperm motility assessed in four grades (A, B, C, D). In this study, L-arginine and SNP non-significantly increased progressive motility at low concentration and significantly decreased progressive motility at high concentration. L-NAME and packed erythrocytes dose-dependently decreased progressive sperm motility. It is concluded that sperm motility of ram physiologically depend on nitric oxide action although excess generation of nitric oxide by sperm or exogenous NO could not increase sperm motility and it seems that excess NO provides toxic condition to decrease sperm motility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sharekord University, Sharekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hassanpour
authors.forename: Pejman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirshokrai
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.forename: Atefe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aminian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester