Influence of psychotropic drugs, gossypol and acetylcholine receptor blockers on the motility of human spermatozoa in vitro

Abstract

Inhibition of spermatogenesis, sperm transport and also interference with sperm maturation and viability are the steps in reproduction where inhibition of male fertility seems to be possible. However, apart from gossypol, a sesquiterpene derivative detectable in several plants, no drug has so far reached the stage of clinical trial. In this study the motility-inhibiting effect on spermatozoa of gossypol acetic acid (racemic mixture) and (+)-gossypol, and also of psychotropic drugs, e.g. trifluoperazine, regarded as inhibitor of the calcium-binding protein calmodulin, was investigated. In addition, the sperm-immobilizing effect of acetylcholine receptor-blocking substances such as the neurotoxin alpha-bungarotoxin was measured.