F D Yelian1, A G Sacco, K A Ginsburg, P A Doerr, D R Armant. 1. C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if cocaine exposure affects human sperm motility, intracellular calcium level, and fertilizing capability. DESIGN AND METHODS: Human semen samples were treated with 1 to 1,000 microM cocaine hydrochloride for up to 2 hours in vitro. Sperm motion kinematics were measured by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Spermatozoan intracellular calcium was determined by laser cytometry. The sperm fertilizing capability was assessed using the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test. RESULTS: After a short exposure (15 minutes) to cocaine, the sperm motion kinematic parameters, straight line velocity and linearity, were decreased in the high concentration groups. However, after a longer exposure (2 hours) to cocaine, the differences were no longer significant. Cocaine treatment did not alter spermatozoa intracellular calcium levels. Most importantly, human sperm treated with cocaine at a high concentration were fully capable of penetrating zona-free hamster oocytes. CONCLUSION: Human spermatozoa acutely exposed to high concentrations of cocaine initially demonstrate a decrease in two motion kinematics, straight line velocity and linearity. However, overall, cocaine exposure had no significant effects on sperm motility and fertilizing capability.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if cocaine exposure affects human sperm motility, intracellular calcium level, and fertilizing capability. DESIGN AND METHODS: Human semen samples were treated with 1 to 1,000 microM cocaine hydrochloride for up to 2 hours in vitro. Sperm motion kinematics were measured by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Spermatozoan intracellular calcium was determined by laser cytometry. The sperm fertilizing capability was assessed using the zona-free hamster oocyte penetration test. RESULTS: After a short exposure (15 minutes) to cocaine, the sperm motion kinematic parameters, straight line velocity and linearity, were decreased in the high concentration groups. However, after a longer exposure (2 hours) to cocaine, the differences were no longer significant. Cocaine treatment did not alter spermatozoa intracellular calcium levels. Most importantly, human sperm treated with cocaine at a high concentration were fully capable of penetrating zona-free hamster oocytes. CONCLUSION:Human spermatozoa acutely exposed to high concentrations of cocaine initially demonstrate a decrease in two motion kinematics, straight line velocity and linearity. However, overall, cocaine exposure had no significant effects on sperm motility and fertilizing capability.