Asthenozoospermic Males Research Articles

Effect of platelet-activating factor, lyso-platelet-activating factor, and lysophosphatidylcholine on sperm motion: importance of albumin for motility stimulation

To determine the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF), the PAF derivative lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine on in vitro sperm motility and to determine the role of albumin in this interaction. 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. University research laboratory. Semen samples were obtained from donors and patients attending an infertility clinic. Human spermatozoa were incubated with PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine 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 minutes. Tritiated PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine was incubated with spermatozoa, and the metabolites were separated and quantified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Sperm motion characteristics, including the percentage of motile spermatozoa, velocity, and linearity, and sperm viability were determined. The metabolism of PAF, lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine by spermatozoa was also studied. Fifty micromolar of PAF and 100 microM lyso-PAF, supplemented 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 effect but only at 22 degrees C and not 37 degrees C. In the absence of albumin, neither PAF, lyso-PAF, or lysophosphatidylcholine induced increases in sperm motion. Lysophosphatidylcholine and lyso-PAF are not detectably metabolized by spermatozoa, whereas 12.5% +/- 1.2% of PAF is hydrolyzed to lyso-PAF in 1 hour. Platelet-activating factor, lyso-PAF, and lysophosphatidylcholine independently stimulate sperm linear and curvilinear velocity. This action requires albumin. These compounds may be of use in the treatment of asthenozoospermic males.

The effects of platelet-activating factor on the motility of human spermatozoa

Our laboratory has recently detected the presence of platelet-activating factor (PAF)-like activity in human spermatozoa. To gain further insight into the role of PAF on the male reproductive system, this study, using videomicroscopy, evaluated the effects of synthetic PAF on the motility of human spermatozoa. Treatment of 20 human semen samples with 3.69 x 10(-7) to 3.69 x 10(-13) M PAF resulted in statistically significant increases in motility. Treatment of spermatozoa with lyso-PAF (the biologically inactive form of PAF) showed no change in motility. Treatment of spermatozoa with PAF in severely asthenozoospermic males may be of therapeutic value.