[Effects of isoflurane combined with diltiazem on human sperm motility].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of isoflurane combined with diltiazem on human sperm motility in vitro and to investigate its possible mechanism.


METHODS
Ten normal semen samples were collected, each divided into 9 groups, one as the control and the others treated in vitro with different concentrations of diltiazem or diltiazem +4.2% isoflurane for 1 hour. Sperm motility was observed with the computer-assisted sperm analyzer.


RESULTS
Compared with the control, diltiazem significantly decreased sperm motility at the concentrations of 0.01 g/L, 0.04 g/L, 0.2 g/L and 1 g/L in a dose-dependent manner, and reduced it to approximately 0% at 1 g/L. When combined with 4.2% isoflurane, diltiazem obviously increased sperm motility at 0.01 g/L, markedly decreased it at 0.2 g/L, and effected no significant difference at 0.04 g/L and 1 g/L as compared with the corresponding concentrations of diltiazem alone.


CONCLUSIONS
The stimulating effect of isoflurane on sperm motility may be associated with the calcium ion channel in sperm. When completely blocked by diltiazem, this effect may turn into an inhibition of sperm motility.
Xu
Bo
B
Department of Anesthesiology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China.
Wang
Xiao-Hai
XH
Wang
Li-Jun
LJ
Sun
Hui-Jin
HJ
D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004336:Drug Antagonism; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007530:Isoflurane; D004110:Diltiazem