The Effect of Prostaglandins E1 and F2  on the Fertilizing Ability of Hamster Spermatozoa

Abstract

Prostaglandins are present in the male accessory glands (Goldblatt, 1933; von Euler, 1935;Mann, 1964;Bygdeman, Fredericsson, Svanborg & Samuelsson, 1970), and can be synthesized by rat testis tissue (Ellis, 1972). Studies in sheep (McCracken, 1971;McCracken, Baird & Goding, 1971) indicate that prosta¬ glandins may be the naturally occurring luteolytic factor but the rôle of prostaglandins in male reproductive function has not been determined. Treatment of male rats and mice with prostaglandins E1; E2 and F2a however, decreases the level of circulating (plasma) testosterone (Bartke, Musto, Caldwell & Behrman, 1973;Saksena, El Safoury & Bartke, 1973). Since mature hamster spermatozoa lose their fertilizing ability within 12 days after castration (Lubicz-Nawrocki & Glover, 1973), it seemed possible that administration of prosta¬ glandins Et or 2 (PGEjl or PGF2t[) might induce sterility by lowering the titre of plasma testosterone. The present paper reports on the fertilizing ability of male hamsters treated with PGEj and PGF2a.Adult male golden hamsters (125 to 145 g) of known fertility were maintained under controlled conditions of temperature and lighting. Prostaglandins Et and F2a were dissolved in sterilized 0-9 % NaCl solution and refrigerated between injections. In order to test the effects of PGE! and PGF2a on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, six male hamsters were treated daily with 50 µg PGEX, and another group of six males received daily 50 µg PGF2a. Half of the daily dose was injected subcutaneously in 0-1 ml/100 g body weight at 08.30 hours and half at 20.30 hours. Three control animals were injected twice daily with 0-1 ml sterilized 0-9% NaCl solution. To test fertilizing ability, treated and control males were paired overnight with a female in oestrus; mating was confirmed by the presence of spermatozoa in the vagina and the females were killed approximately 40 hr after mating. Eggs were flushed from the uterine tubes with 0-2 ml Hanks' solution, mounted in toto (Chang, 1952) and examined with a phase contrast microscope for evidence of fertilization (the presence of a spermatozoon in the vitellus of a cleaved egg).For the estimation of plasma testosterone, treated and control males were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (Nembutal; Abbott Laboratories) the morning after mating, approximately 12 hr after the last injection of the prostaglandins. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta into heparinized 557

Functional Activity of Mouse Sperm Was Not Affected by Low Doses of Aspirin-Like Drugs

“…Since the methodological conditions and/or procedures were carefully observed, at present we are not able to explain this finding. Lubicz et al [19] reported that fertilizability of hamster sperm was unaffected after 10 days of treatment with PGE1 or PGF 2a , although PGE 1 caused a significant decrease in plasma testosterone. Nevertheless, the effect of ibuprofen on plasma androgen levels is a reversible phenomenon, since it disappeared when the drug was administered for 60 days.…”

The Possible Mode of Action of Prostaglandins. XV. Study of the Effect of Prostaglandins E1, E2 or F2α in Limiting the Fertilizing Capacity of Epididymal Spermatozoa in Rats1

“…Testcsterone, however, prevents the effect of castration or hypophysectomy (Dyson & Orgebin-Crist 1973). Failure of PGF;, in altering the fertility in our surgically manipulated experimental rats is well compromizing with the views cf Lubicz-Nawrocki et al (1973) that the dose schedule of PGF2a used does not effectively minimize the plasma levels of testosterone. Our recent experience using different intratesticular doses of PGs reveal that even at the dose level of 2 mgikg, only PGEs are effective in altering fertility and inducing testicular regression, but PGF;, does not.…”

Arachidonic Acid Pathways and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review

“…However, intratesticular injection of higher doses of PGs (2.5 mg/kg) adversely affected the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, by affecting steroidogenesis in both the injected and contralateral control testes [35]. The short-term treatment of hamsters with PGF 2α , or PGE 1 had no effect on fertilizing capacity [36,37]. Testosterone added concurrently with PGE 1 and PGE 2 maintained both the fertilizing capacity of epididymal spermatozoa, and the weight of accessory sex glands [38].…”