The Effects of Amlodipine Administration and In Vitro Addition of Pentoxifylline on Sperm Parameters in Mice

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Widespread usage of different chemical drugs for therapeutic purposes may impair spermatogenesis. Since calcium channels are present in the plasma membrane of many cells including sperm, the present study aimed at examining the effects of amlodipine (a calcium-channels inhibitor) and also pentoxifylline on sperm parameters in mice. Materials and Methods: Syrian male mice received 2.5 mg/kg/day amlodipine orally for 3 months and the sperms in culture medium exposed to 0.5 mmol pentoxifylline. After epididymal biopsy, total number of sperms, number of dead sperms, number of sperms with progressive and slow and in situ motility, and also sperms with acrosome reaction were studied by a light microscope. Results: There was no difference in total sperm numbers between control and treatment groups (P=0.44). After staining with eosine Y, number of dead sperms in the amlodipine receiving group increased significantly (P<0.001). Number of sperms with progressive motility in amlodipine group decreased significantly (P<0.001). Number of sperms with slow motility and in situ and sperms with acrosoaml reaction in amlodipine group decreased significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion: Oral amlodipine administration reduces the sperm progressive motility and acrosomal reaction, whereas oral pentoxifylline administration enhances the sperm progressive motility and acrosomal reaction.