DERIVATIVES OF 2-NITROFLUORENE CAUSE CHANGES OF HUMAN SPERM MOTILITY

The effects on human sperm motility characteristics of 2-nitrofluorene and selected derivatives were studied in vitro, using computer aided sperm analysis (Cellsoft (R)). Substances to be tested were dissolved in acetone and added to separated spermatozoa in culture media to fina l concentrations of 100 and 1000 mu M. Aliquots were removed immediate ly (<5 min.) and 24 kr after the addition and tested for sperm motilit y characteristics. Four of the substances tested; 2,4,7-trinitrofluore n-9-one (2,4,7-tNFO), 2,5-diaminofluorene (2,5-dAF), 7-hydroxy-2-nitro fluorene (7-OH-NF) and 2,7-diaminofluorene (2,7-dAF) showed strong det rimental effects on the sperm motility. Slight detrimental effects wer e also recorded using 2-nitrofluorene and 2,5-dinitrofluorene (2,5-dNF ). Weak stimulatory effects were obtained using 2-acetoamidofluorene ( AAF) and 2,7-dinitrofluorene (2,7-dNF). No significant effects were se en with 5-hydroxy-2-nitrofluorene (5-OH-NF), 2-aminofluorene (AF), 2-a minofluoren-9-one (AFO), 2-amino-9-hydroxyfluorene (9-OH-AF) or 9-hydr oxy-2-nitrofluorene (9-OH-NF). The mechanism behind this effect is not known but it could be speculated that these lipophilic substances int eract with the membranes or the cellular respiration.