Gm. Centola, DOSE-RESPONSE EFFECTS OF GRAMICIDIN-D, EDTA AND NONOXYNOL-9 ON SPERM MOTION PARAMETERS AND ACROSOME STATUS, Contraception, 58(1), 1998, pp. 35-38
Previous reports showed that gramicidin-D (G-D), a polypeptide with an
tiviral and antimicrobial properties, nonoxynol-9 (N9), a common sperm
icidal detergent, and EDTA, a Ca-Mg chelating agent, inhibited sperm m
otility and cervical mucus penetration. The purpose of this study was
to determine the dose-response effects of G-D, N9, EDTA and G-D + EDTA
on sperm motion parameters and acrosome status. Semen specimens from
known fertile donors were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysi
s of motility, path velocity, progressive velocity, and hyperactivatio
n prior to and after incubation with varying concentrations of gramici
din-D, EDTA and nonoxynol-9. Each specimen was also prepared for acros
ome status using rhodamine isothiocyanate conjugated pisum sativum agg
lutinin (RITC-PSA). There was a significant decrease in motility by G-
D, EDTA, G-D + EDTA, and N9 at all doses as compared to the fresh spec
imen. N9 completely immobilized all sperm at each dose. Progressive ve
locity and path velocity also decreased in a dose-response manner. Spe
rm hyperactive motility also significantly decreased in all groups. Th
e majority of sperm remained acrosome intact following exposure to all
doses tested, whereas N9 resulted in complete breakdown/release of th
e acrosomal contents. This study confirms previous reports that G-D, E
DTA, and N9 significantly impair sperm motility and motion parameters.
The effective 100% inhibitory concentration was seen only with N9, wh
ereas G-D, EDTA, and G-D + EDTA resulted in incomplete impairment of s
perm motion parameters. At the concentrations used, N9 demonstrated po
tent spermostatic activity. Gramicidin-D and EDTA should be further st
udied for their potential contraceptive spermostatic activity. (C) 199
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