A. Rupasri et al., PENTOXIFYLLINE IMPROVES SPERM CAPACITATION AND IN-VITRO FERTILIZATIONOF OOCYTES IN THE GOLDEN-HAMSTER, Theriogenology, 44(4), 1995, pp. 553-562
Pentoxifylline (PF) is used to improve motility of spermatozoa from su
bfertile or nonfertile males to accomplish in vitro fertilization in h
umans. The possible adverse effect of PF on pre- and peri- implantatio
n stage embryo development in a suitable rodent model, such as the gol
den hamster, is yet to be determined. In this study, hamster cauda epi
didymal spermatozoa were exposed to different concentrations (0.23 to
3.6 mM) of PF, and their quantitative [percentage of motility] and qua
litative [Score 0 to 5] motility were assessed and values expressed as
the sperm motility index. Upon addition of spermatozoa to dishes cont
aining PF, an immediate increase in sperm motility and sperm motility
index was evident, which increased up to 4 to 6 h and then declined. T
he sperm motility index increase by PF was dose-dependant, and greater
than or equal to 1.8 mM PF was detrimental after 4 h. The optimum dos
e of PF was found to be 0.45 mM. To assess the fertilizing ability of
PF-treated spermatozoa, in vitro fertilization was carried out. Fertil
ization rates for spermatozoa treated with 3.6 mM PF were lower (53.8
+/- 7.8) than for the controls (69.5 +/- 10.2), whereas, treatment wit
h 0.45 mM PF increased the rates (91.6 +/- 4.3) compared with that of
the controls (80.2 +/- 5.9). In conclusion, low concentrations (0.23 t
o 0.45 mM) of PF improve sperm capacitation and fertilization of oocyt
es in vitro in the golden hamster.