In vitro effects of dermaseptins on sperm characteristics

摘要

The spermicidal efficacy of synthetic peptides, dermaseptin (DS1) and (DS4), was studied under in vitro conditions using human spermatozoa. The data showed that sperm motility was inhibited with various concentrations of dermaseptins at different intervals ranging from 2 to 240 min. The effective 100 inhibitory concentration (EC100) of DS4 sperm immobilization assay was equal to 50 mg/ml at 30 min, while the EC 100 of DS1 was equal to 100 mg/ml. The presence of 0.1 of chelating agent, EDTA, reduced the EC100 of DS4 to 5 mg/ml, while less than a twofold enhancement in DS 1 activity was observed in combination with EDTA. The action of dermaseptins on sperm motility was observed to be dose-dependent. Addition of pentoxifylline, which is known to enhance sperm motility, and Ca2+, which is a key element for sperm movement, did not prevent the spermicidal action of dermaseptins.