EFFECT OF PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR, LYSO-PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR, AND LYSOPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE ON SPERM MOTION - IMPORTANCE OF ALBUMIN FOR MOTILITY STIMULATION
K. Jarvi et al., EFFECT OF PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR, LYSO-PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR, AND LYSOPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE ON SPERM MOTION - IMPORTANCE OF ALBUMIN FOR MOTILITY STIMULATION, Fertility and sterility, 59(6), 1993, pp. 1266-1275
Objectives: To determine the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF
), the PAF derivative lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine on in vitr
o sperm motility and to determine the role of albumin in this interact
ion. Design: Washed human spermatozoa were exposed to a range of PAF,
lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine concentrations, supplemented with
different albumin concentrations, and the effect on sperm motion was
quantified with a computer-assisted motion analysis. The metabolism of
these compounds by spermatozoa was also assessed. Setting: University
research laboratory. Patients, Participants: Semen samples were obtai
ned from donors and patients attending an infertility clinic. Interven
tions: Human spermatozoa were incubated with PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysopho
sphatidylcholine at 10(-11) to 6 X 10(-4) M, with 0% to 1.2% albumin,
and motility was evaluated at different time periods from 5 to 240 min
utes. Tritiated PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine was incubate
d with spermatozoa, and the metabolites were separated and quantified
by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Main Outcome Measures: Sperm motio
n characteristics, including the percentage of motile spermatozoa, vel
ocity, and linearity, and sperm viability were determined. The metabol
ism of PAF, lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine by spermatozoa was a
lso studied. Results: Fifty micromolar of PAF and 100 muM lyso-PAF, su
pplemented with 0.3% albumin, increased sperm linear velocity by 41% /- 5% (+/- SEM) and 44% +/- 5% and curvilinear velocity by 17% +/- 3%
and 21 +/- 3%, respectively. Lysophosphatidylcholine had a similar eff
ect but only at 22-degrees-C and not 37-degrees-C. In the absence of a
lbumin, neither PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine induced incr
eases in sperm motion. Lysophosphatidylcholine and lyso-PAF are not de
tectably metabolized by spermatozoa, whereas 12.5% +/- 1.2% of PAF is
hydrolyzed to lyso-PAF in 1 hour. Conclusion: Platelet-activating fact
or, lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine independently stimulate sper
m linear and curvilinear velocity. This action requires albumin. These
compounds may be of use in the treatment of asthenozoospermic males.