Effect of caffeine on the motility, viability, oxygen consumption and glycolytic rate of ejaculated human normokinetic and hypokinetic spermatozoa

Abstract

In this report the effect of caffeine, IBMX and Cholera toxin on ejaculated human spermatozoa was tested. It was found that caffeine was the most effective drug, and that Cholera toxin was ineffective. Caffeine stimulated motility, preserved viability and increased the glucose, fructose utilization and lactate production of sperm in whole semen and washed sperm. Oxygen consumption however was decreased. These results of the normokinetic ejaculates were defined as a basis for comparison with the response of hypokinetic sperm. A group of 11 hypokinetic ejaculated spermatozoa were treated by caffeine and only five responded to caffeine stimulation by a response, similar to that of normokinetic sperm. They were defined as "responsive." The other group of six patients who did not respond were defined as a "non-responsive" class. The possibility that the in vitro treated sperm of the responsive class ejaculate is suitable for artificial insemination to their wives, is discussed.