In vitro effects of l-arginine on motion parameters in ram epididymal sperm

Abstract

This study investigated concentration/time-dependent effects of l-arginine on motion parameters of epididymal ram sperm in vitro. After incubation of epididymal sperm samples for 45 and 90 min in the presence of l-arginine (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM), motion parameters were evaluated by computer-aided sperm analysis. Parameters of rapid progressive motility, slow progressive motility, non-progressive motility, and immotility did not show any significant effects at the four concentrations of l-arginine after 45 and 90 min. Three motion parameters, straightness (at 45 min), curvilinear velocity, and straight-line velocity (at 90 min) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at an l-arginine concentration of 1 mM when compared with controls. Most other motion parameters such as average path velocity, mean angular displacement, amplitude of lateral head displacement, and linearity showed non-significant reduction at an l-arginine concentration of 1 mM at both 45 and 90 min; whereas, wobble and beat cross frequency showed a non-significant increase. In conclusion, low concentrations of l-arginine had little effect on sperm motion parameters; whereas, high concentration of l-arginine significantly decreased specific motion parameters.