Preliminary results using pentoxifylline in a pronuclear stage tubal transfer (PROST) program for severe male factor infertility

Effect of Pentoxifylline on Sperm Motion

“…Pentoxifylline, a new agent belonging to the methylxanthines, has a phosphodiesteraseinhibiting effect [22], is purported to last longer, and has a higher hydrosolubility than other agents ofthis group [5,18]. Sperm motility improves in oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men with the use of this agent [26].…”

“…Sperm motility is more amenable to pharmacologic manipulation than other sperm parameters such as sperm count and morphology, which are difficult to be modified once sperm is formed. The practice of mixing sperm with a motility-stimulating drug for improving the success rate of artificial insemination has been reported [26]. Sperm motility is important for penetration through the zona pellucida of ovum and the ability is highly correlated with fertilization rates in vitro [ …”

“…Further studies areneeded to documentthe effect of chemical stimulants on sperm ultrastructure. Yovich et al [26] demonstrated five pregnancies following pronuclear stage tuba1 transfer in the study ofsperm treatment with pentoxifylline. Hammitt et al [9] reported a44% success rate in intrauterine insemination with pentoxifylline-stimulated sperm.…”

The Role of PDE5 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Testicular Dysfunction

“…Pentoxifylline (PTX), is the most widely nonselective PDE inhibitor that has been used in assisted reproductive technology programs (Wang et al, 1983;Marrama et al, 1985;Shen et al, 1991;Fuse et al, 1993;Pang et al, 1993;Tournaye et al, 1994). Although its beneficial effect on the outcome of IVF trials in normozoospermic subjects and oligo-asthenozoospermic patients is well documented (Yovich et al, 1988;Yovich et al, 1990;Tasdemir et al, 1993;Yunes et al, 2005) the efficacy of its oral administration to increase sperm fertilizing ability is controversial (Tournaye et al, 1994). PTX has been considered to stimulate flagellar motility by increasing sperm intracellular cAMP (Stefanovich, 1973;Garbers & Kopf, 1980;Tash & Means, 1983;Ward & Clissold, 1987) as well as by reducing sperm intracellular superoxide anion and reactive oxygen species known to damage DNA (Lopes et al, 1998;Twigg et al, 1998).…”

Methods for enhancement of sperm function

“…In a small series of nine couples who had experienced up to three cycles of fertilization failure, five successful pregnancies were established with pentoxifylline-treated sperm (52). In subsequent studies, reducing sperm exposure to pentoxifylline to 30-40 minutes, gave significantly improved fertilization rates and fewer cases of fertilization failure.…”