Effects of Transurethral Alprostadil on Motility Parameters and Acrosomal Reaction of Human Sperm

Kim, Soo Woong; Hong, Sung Kyu; Park, Kwan jin; Kim, Chul; Lee, Eun sik; Lee, Chong wook; Paick, Jae Seung

Abstract

PURPOSE: Transurethral alprostadil, newly developed treatment modality for patients with erectile dysfunction, may have untoward effects on human sperm. Although previous studies indicated that remained alprostadil had no significant effects on the motility, viability and membrane integrity of human sperm, the possibility that alprostadil might have roles in sperm hyperactivation and acrosomal reaction still exists. So we have evaluated the effects of alprostadil on motility parameters and acrosomal reaction of human sperm in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eight healthy volunteers provided semen samples that were incubated with 0.1mg/ml and 0.4mg/ml of alprostadil which respectively represented similar and exaggerated concentration after transurethral administration. Control incubations included polyethylene glycol 1450, the fomulation vehicle, and Ham's F-10 buffer. Serial evaluations of several computer generated measurements of sperm motion were performed after 30, 60 and 120 minutes of incubation. After 120 minutes, we performed simultaneous fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Pisum sativum lectin/Hoechst 33258 staining to evaluate acrosomal status.
RESULTS
The alprostadil group showed decreases in linearity, increases in amplitude of lateral head displacement, and increased fraction of hyperactivated sperm with statistical significance (ANOVA, p<0.05). The fraction of spontaneous acrosomal reaction was increased significantly in the alprostadil group compared with that of control group without a dose- response relationship.
CONCLUSIONS
Alprostadil administration in vitro changed several computer assisted sperm motion analysis parameters and increased spontaneous acrosomal reaction. For further evaluation of the effects of remained alprostadil on sperm and fertility, a well- controlled in vivo study will be needed.