Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, on spermatozoal functions in rats

Angiotensin-covering enzyme is present in the male reproductive system but its role in the physiology of reproduction is not known. To see the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme on spermatozoal functions, lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, was administered orally using diff erent doses (20 and 20 mg/kg/day) to rats. Both short-term (2 weeks) and lo ng-term (6 weeks) effects of the drug were observed. Lisinopril treatment r esulted in a marked decrease in sperm density, sperm motility and zona pell ucida penetration. Acrosome reaction by spermatozoa obtained from drug-trea ted animals was significantly lower when compared with spermatozoa from nor mal animals. (C) 2000 Prous Science. All rights reserved.