A modified transmembrane migration method for evaluating the spermicidal potency of some nonoxynol compounds

Abstract

The transmembrane migration technique, a simple method in-vitro for quantitatively assessing the effects of a drug on human sperm motility, has been evaluated. The original method has been modified to include a preincubation step, and the incubation time has been reduced to 90 min. In semen samples possessing sperm concentrations of less than 75 x 12(6) spermatozoa mL-1 the volume of the lower reservoir has been reduced to 1 mL. This modified method has been used to compare the spermicidal potency of the widely employed non-ionic surfactant nonoxynol-9, with nonoxynol-5 and nonoxynol-15 (containing, respectively, fewer and more ethylene oxide units per molecule). The rank order of spermicidal potency of the compounds evaluated was nonoxynol-9 = nonoxynol-5 greater than nonoxynol-15.

Effects of lithium and haloperidol on human sperm motility in-vitro

“…The significance of the 2 h incubation is to investigate the drug effect on capacitation and acrosome reaction of sperm, which occurs 2 h after ejaculation and which is required for the penetration of zona pellucida and fusion with the oocyte (Yanagimachi 1988 (Nuclepore, USA) from the upper chamber into the lower chamber containing phosphate-buffered saline, during a 2 h incubation at 3 7 T , was called the trans-membrane migration ratio (TMMR) (Hong et al 1981). Previous studies have shown that the TMMR is a quantitative and reproducible parameter for sperm motility (Hong et al 1981(Hong et al , 1984Gadd & Curtis-Prior 1988;Shen et a1 1991). Fig.…”

“…The proportion of sperm that moved across the 5 pm pores of a Nuclepore membrane (Nuclepore, USA) from the upper chamber into the lower chamber containing phosphate-buffered saline, during a 2 h incubation at 3 7 T , was called the trans-membrane migration ratio (TMMR) (Hong et al 1981). Previous studies have shown that the TMMR is a quantitative and reproducible parameter for sperm motility (Hong et al 1981(Hong et al , 1984Gadd & Curtis-Prior 1988; Shen et a1 1991).Results Fig. 1 shows the concentration-response curve for the inhibitory effect of lithium on human sperm motility.…”

β-Adrenoceptor antagonists and human sperm motility

“…The modified transmembrane migration method of Hong et al ( 198 1 a), as previously described (Gadd & Curtis-Prior 1988), was used to measure the effects on sperm motility of the following P-adrenoceptor antagonists: (k), (+), and (-)propranolol hydrochloride (Sigma and ICI); bufuralol hydrochloride (Roche); ( -)-alprenolo1 (Sigma); penbutolol sulphate (Hoechst); oxprenolol hydrochloride (Ciba-Geigy); metoprolol tartrate (Ciba-Geigy); tolamolol hydrochloride (Pfizer); pindo-lo1 (Sandoz); practolol (ICI) and atenolol (ICI). All drugs were dissolved in 0.9% w/v NaCl saline or phosphate buffered saline (Dulbecco "A").…”

Comparative effects of (+)-propranolol and nonoxynol-9 on human sperm motility in-vitro

“…The effects on sperm motility of nonoxynol-9 and (+)-propranolol were measured using the modified transmembrane migration method of Hong et al(198 l), as previously described (Gadd & Curtis-Prior 1988), which allows dose-response curves to be Performed on a single semen sample. Initially, dose-response curves were constructed on each ejaculate, from a pool of seven donors, with triplicate measurements of each concentration.…”